Crazy Roots Ethiopia

Two Years Together!!

2012-01-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since we've updated the blog, I almost forgot my login information! But today is the two year mark of the day they placed Bekeh and Caleb in our arms forever. What a blessed day indeed.

I've spent the morning reading other beautiful post from families marking similar anniversaries and it's such an amazing time to build an altar to the Lord concerning the work He has done and to praise His name for the gifts He gave along the journey.

I could spend the entire post here telling you all the adorable ways Bekeh and Caleb have changed our lives for the better, the struggles we overcame that God used to break us and rebuild us better, the hilarious things that come out of Caleb's mouth on a moment by moment basis, the leaps and bounds by which Bekeh is learning in school, and so much more, but then I'd have to spend equal time doing that for the other three vanilla kids that live in this house, and the vanilla great-grandmother too, and you guys do not have hours to spend reading this blog about my six precious charges! Because, somewhere along the way over the last two years, Bekeh and Caleb became part of the family. No longer the center of all attention, no longer the "difference" that was infiltrating every fiber of our existence, just two more of us that made us The Crazy Roots.

What just leaves me flabbergasted, speechless (yea right), teary, giddy, joyful, and in awe this morning as I look back over the last two years, is what the Lord has done for us. When I look at our marriage, I see such an overwhelming, beautiful transformation from where and who we were when we started this journey. When I look at my three biological kids, I see such an incredible maturity and patience in them because of the lengths they've stretched their hearts and their comfort zones. When I look at Bekeh and Caleb I see two babies who went from being alone and orphaned to being a contributing part of an amazing family that the Lord is using to change this world.

I see how it could have not been this way. But we chose His way over our way ever time there was a choice. I see how we've laid our lives bare for the Lord to change, to mold, to discard, to use. I see how we've continuously relied on Him for the wisdom to survive, for the resources to thrive, and for the direction to live. I see the fruits of giving Him our finances completely, and I am so thankful for His multiplication. I see the blessings of turning to Him for all of our parenting dilemmas and we are so grateful for His provision.

Our wants are different, our needs are greater, our desires are deeper, our grumblings are fewer, our hearts are tilled, our futures are open.

We are not in a season of Spiritual Highs. As if like a sports team, a winning season can't predict what next season will look like, that championships are fleeting. No this is not a season. I can see now how the adoption was a season. It was a specific time that everything was on high alert. Everything was in chaos, everything was in constant change. Beautiful, but nonetheless, always active. Checking in with fellow in process moms every minute of the day, constantly talking about bonding and transition and parasitic poop, and embassy issues and paperwork! And then somewhere over the last few months the season came to an end. But that season broke the scales from our hearts, our eyes, our ears. We emerged from that season changed. This is a lifestyle.

A lifestyle that depends on the Lord for every source of wisdom, provision, direction, and joy. A lifestyle that knows the lengths He goes to to provide for us, bless us, rescue us, deliver us, escort us, and BE WITH US. It's beautiful, it's invigorating, it's thrilling, and it's anything but fleeting.

When we began this adoption journey 3 years ago, I anticipated the love of new children and the joy God had in store for us through them. But I never dreamed or imagined the radical difference in the way we think, choose, and spend our life. We never could have known to ask God for the beautiful friendships we are now honored with, we love our fellow adoptive families so truly! We never could have understood how near to God we could draw, how hard He holds us daily, and how exhilarating giving up and letting Him move could feel.

Two years. Might as well have been a lifetime or the blink of an eye.

Life Lesson in a Lost Tooth

2011-09-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

This morning Bekeh was complaining at breakfast that her teeth were hurting. Usually this means she has something stuck and needs to floss, so when she finished up we headed to the bathroom. As soon as I inserted the floss, her front tooth wiggled like crazy. Aahh hhaaa!! Her first loose tooth. Upon further examination by the tooth fairy, I realized it was ready to come out. I told Bekeh she was going to lose her first tooth, and immediately the look of complete terror overtook her face. As I began to wiggle and yank, she began to scream out in pain. I quickly realized that my biological kids always endured the trauma with anticipation of what was happening, and the reward it came with, but Bekeh had no understanding of this. To her, this simply hurt and was something she wanted to stop immediately!

One final, hard yank, revealed why it was a difficult little bugger. . . the longest tooth I had ever extracted. I swear I thought, how in the world is a permanent tooth hiding in those gums underneath with that thing buried in there?

As the blood began to spew, and she's practicing the ritual of spitting and swishing and spitting and swishing, I began to go crazy, jumping up and down, hooting and hollering about how awesome she was, and how cool it was that she lost her FIRST TOOTH! I was giggling and congratulating her for being an official Big Girl, and kissing all over her tiny cheeks. She on the other hand, was looking at me like I had lost my mind. Her pained face quickly turned to bewilderment, and slowly began to turn to curiosity. Brooklyn soon came in to the bathroom to see what the fuss was about, and her first reaction was pure joy and excitement for her sister. She held out her hand for a big high five, which Bekeh returned very apprehensively. I could see Brooklyn's joy registering on Bekeh's mind. She began to smile a bit. The kicker came when, fully packed with paper towels in her mouth, she went out to the living room where Nathan, Corban and our neighbor Evan were sitting. She quietly said, "Hey, boys, I lost my tooth," and immediately they rang out in a loud chorus of, "Really? How awesome! Let me see! That's cool. Super Bekeh! That's so exciting!" She began to give in and enjoy it, returning their fist bumps and high fives energetically. We called daddy on the phone in Virginia, and she told him with pure joy and a smile on her face, "Daddy, I lost my first tooth!!!"

Bekeh had never watched her older siblings loose their teeth, never seen that the joy it brought was worth the moments of pain it took. She had never begged with anticipation and excitement for me to check every tooth for signs of the slightest wiggle as her brothers had done before her. We had not anticipated this, and explained to her what would happen. For her, it was a scary and painful experience that she didn't want to go through, that is until others around her changed her perspective.

How often do we behave the same way? I was talking with a sweet, sweet, dear friend of mine last weekend about all of this. And what a beautiful example God provided me this week in a lost tooth. Our children are blank slates. They do not know how to be afraid, to be offendable, to be hurt by things in this life, to be conquerors, to be joyful in the fire, until we teach them. Especially with our adopted children, whose life book was written so strongly by parents who are no longer around to explain their storyline, we do not get to pick and choose what is part of their plot. We are handed a set of circumstances and must teach our children how to deal with them. We must also show them how to handle criticism, racism, diversity, loss, grief, freedom, joy, love. It's in these most difficult parenting challenges that I have to turn to my God for my example. How did our Father teach His one and only son to deal with it?

Hebrews 12:2 NLT teaches us, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."

Jesus solved our Sin problem on the cross, He also solved our shame problem. It says He disregarded or despised all shame, meaning He didn't even let it in, and we must do the same. To the degree that God is present in any situation, there is no shame, because God does not operate in shame. We cannot teach our children to be ashamed of their story, we can't teach our children to be ashamed or apologetic for their past, their present, or their future. We must teach them to be more than conquerors, to let God into every situation so that shame flees and redemption and freedom whooshes in. To see every fire as a refinement, every pain God allows as a purifying gift, and endure with overcoming joy the trials of this life. We teach and model for them. We must celebrate and recall God's rescue and redemption more than we focus on the attack the enemy waged against us.

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

I love Bekeh and I knew that the amount of pain she was going through was going to be worth the joy. That the relief the tooth being out would bring her over the next couple of days would be worth the temporary pain this morning. She didn't, but I'm her loving parent and she needed to trust me.

How I wish I could see the throne of Heaven and the mighty armies of angels who celebrate with me and my family when we are enduring pain and trial. How I wish I could see them giggling, kissing my cheek, hooping and hollering, high fiving me for the next step into maturation that I have just taken. But although unseen, I know they're there, and my heavenly faith and sight changes my perspective. I have to teach that to my children, model it, live it.

In all this, Bekeh still didn't know the best part was coming. She still had yet to understand the reward that will be under her pillow tonight. I know the tooth fairy, I know how she rewards extra for those teeth that were a little more stubborn and painful than others. I know how she rewards the trust and faith she sees. And she's just an earthly gal. How much more does our heavenly Father look forward with anticipation to rewarding us for the trials we endured without shame, with joy, and with a heavenly perspective. I just get goose bumps thinking about it, anticipating it. It almost makes me feel like I'm six years old again with a really wiggly tooth.

17 Months Together!

2011-06-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing at the Root House. We've been keeping ourselves uber busy with Tae Kwon Do lessons 8 hours a week, Gymnastics 7 hours a week, piano lessons, guitar lessons, clarinet lessons, swimming non stop, visiting friends, church camps, and reading books and frequenting the library like mad men. It's exhausting just typing it out but it really is a ton of fun and we're often commenting on how lazy we feel we're being. Our new normal.

Bekeh's favorite time of the week is her gymnastic classes. She can do an amazing cartwheel, roundoff, handstand-kickover-bridge, one handed cart wheel and is working on her back walkover so she can get to her back handspring. She and Brooklyn practice non stop around the house. She shares her second favorite thing with Caleb's all time favorite, and that's swimming. They live for the pool. They jump and swim and splash and kick in it for hours.

Caleb has been growing up in leaps and bounds the last few months. He has S-L-O-W-L-Y began to use his words for communicating more than he uses his tears and whining. We're working it out. Zero tolerance worked much faster with the other four, he's a stubborn one though and seems fearful of asking for help or for what he wants. We're sure it's some ex-orphan untrusting where's the bond issue, but we're just going to keep praying and working through it like everything else. He's so darn adorable every other minute of the day we'll make it. He talks non-stop, and now that he's transistioning into talking for himself and not just mimicking EVERY SINGLE THING others say around him, his personality is coming out more and we're finding out how his little mind processess and thinks through our crazy life. It's a ton of fun. His favorite thing to say is, "I changed my mind." And he sure does, all the time. I think we're going through the toddler indecisive stage he missed a few years back! We got a lot of ~~complaints~~ helpful advice from his fellow chocolate brothers and sisters in the world at large about his hair not being appropriate and what not, so I caved to the pressure and shaved it off. CPS letting you know someone felt strongly enough about it to take your license plate and call with concern about his hair being matted will do that to you. Seriously. We went through the pain daily of brushing out his hair, matted my foot, mind your own business people. I do not need your advice. He didn't want to cut it either, but now that it's so much easier to comb, and cooler for summer, we've all come around to being ok with it. The joys of being a multiracical family and getting judged and stared at non-stop in public. Bring it!! And I dare say I enjoy the large target on my back. Being ridiculously persecuted by the enemy of our souls means we're scaring the heck out of him with our faith walk. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

It occured to me yesterday as we were driving down the road that Bekelech is past "learning English." She can understand and communicate anything she thinks, experiences, remembers, imagines, and questions. She's still struggling with pronouns, but that will all work itself out. She's really looking forward to starting Kindergarten again in the fall and we're looking forward to her being up to speed and master school this time! She keeps asking if she's going to be in Mrs. Neel's class again, and I honestly don't know. Pray with us that the US Governement would release our tax return funds so that we could move on to the next season of life that God has in store for us. We've been waiting very patiently Mr IRS Case Examiner, much more patiently than you would be if we owed you money. Please, Lord, just have them release our money soon.

Hopefully I'll find some time soon to document the amazing trip back to Ethiopia that Nathan and I took with the Rowell family in May. It was incredible. God was so present and miraculous.

15 Months Together!

2011-04-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

So, I've been "getting in trouble" with many of you lately for going too long in between blog updates! Things have simply been crazy around the Root Casa, and I do apologize! As if life as a family of seven is every not crazy, nonetheless, the last few months have been a ginormous roller coaster of ridiculous life moments one after the other.

Let's just get right to it. March was a fantastic month. We celebrated Corban's 8th birthday while on a family vacation to Sea World in San Antonio, Texas. It was a total surprise. We told the kids we were going geocaching at a spot, and about an hour or more into the drive, they finally began whining, "Seriously? Where is this cache at? How much further?" To which I casually responded, "According to the map, 5 hours or so, depending on traffic." "5 hours!!! WHY? (In the most whiny of all voices they collectively cried.) "Well, it takes awhile to get to Sea World guys." It took a second or two for the idea to sink in and then the whoops and hollering began! Bekeh and Caleb loved the dolphins and whales. The shows were amazing and we had such a wonderful time.

We were also blessed to run right smack in to the Patteson Family while waiting to get into Sea World our first morning. I didn't recognize Danielle behind her glamorous sunglasses, but I recognized her chocolate cutie immediately! That prompted us being able to get together with them and the Boddies for dinner and we had such a wonderful time chatting adoption and life talk with them! Leanne Boddie suggested we meet up the next day at The Witte Museum, and the kids had an absolute blast. The Boddie girls are adorable and Bekeh and Caleb were giddy with excitement to get to play with them all afternoon.

This vacation was the first without any major bonding issues to deal with, so we were thankful to be at the point where we simply enjoyed the time as a complete family.

Jason began a new job the week we returned home and so we are excited about all God has in store for our family with this blessing. The only two drawbacks are Jason now has a longer commute and is traveling a bit more. God has redeemed even those things as He always does. Jason actually gets home earlier in the evenings than he used to, and we're hoping to have a lot of great family trips in the future with all the frequent flyer miles he's beginning to rack up. I'm learning how to navigate the weekdays with the kids schedules and just me, but all the kids are so awesome, helpful, and fun, it's been easier than I expected.

Jason and I celebrated our 14th Wedding Anniversary in April. Unbelievable. We talked a lot about the goals we set for our family over dinner on our 10th Anniversary. We laughed at how completely naive we were at the time for the plans God had in store for us. We never imagined just a short time ago how radically different our dreams for the future, our family, and our marriage would look! So, as we looked at the year ahead, with 12 months until our 15 year goal setting dinner will arrive, we decided our only goal was to let God be in control, and to wait with anticipation for the blessings He has planned for us!

Jason recently shared with me that God has it on his heart to adopt again. A baby girl. I can't even imagine. Seriously, when he told me this, I believe the words, "Get behind me satan" escaped my lips. And while God has not placed the desire and call in my heart at this time, He has been actively ministering to me and reminding me of so many things. I have opened my heart to defend the fatherless, and whether that's through mission work or being a mom to more, I'm abandoned and willing. In God's time. I have submitted my family, the way it looks, operates, functions, forms, grows, and lives to Him, and He is free to do with it whatever He knows is best. He'll prepare me and call me when it's time. If it's His plan for our family, which, when I look in Jason's heart, I see the reality that it already is. Someday.

Bekeh, you are crazy child. If I didn't know how perfectly personal our God is, and how perfectly He places personalities and types of kids into families, you would prove it to me. You are a CRAZY root, CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY. Most of the time you make me laugh hysterically, some times you just make me hysterical. You never stop. You never stop talking, you never stop turning cartwheels, you never stop drumming, asking, eating, drinking, poking, banging, begging, whining, pouting, laughing. You never stop.

You've transitioned lately from the delayed toddler stages into the full blown little girl appropriate for your age. And with that, has come a lot of growing pains for mommy. It was easier to keep you in a box of, "You're too little to do. . ." and now you're not too little, and you understand everything and you want it all. When I say no to you running in the street like your older brothers, or to your crazy choices in clothing, which you are very particular about, I get this look from you that slices me to the core. You look at me as if I've killed your puppy, destroyed your self-esteem, squashed your personality, and abandoned your happiness all in one word. Had I raised you from my womb and bonded with you for 6 years, I would tell you where to take your look, but I can't. All the worry and frustration of what condition our bond is in, how you perceive your life in our family, how much you feel comfortable expressing your needs and desires and yet maintaining boundaries of obedience and respect of others all comes crashing down on me in a wave of insecurity and I feel lost!! Thank Goodness the Friend, the Author of Truth, the Comforter is there with us feeding me wisdom and helping me see the things unseen. Thank God He's there in those moments with us helping us limp along and figure this all out together. Thank God He redeemed you into our family. Thank You Jesus that you're my daughter. I love you completely. In a way I once wondered if it were possible. You are a delight of our day. You are a tender minister. You spread joy and warmth to everyone everywhere we go. You are hilarious, and your giggle changes everything.

Caleb, My little dude. Who would have ever guessed you had such a bubble and adorable personality waiting in there to explode on us. Geez. You are a wild man. Since our encounter with God in your hospital room last February, you've opened up and let yourself free. We've had a two, maybe three, days in the past months where the old RAD issues have returned, but I have to get on my knees, confess my wrong thoughts, cast down the lies, and reclaim the ground we've conquered. The dynamic change between you and I has infiltrated the whole family. Everything is calmer, happier, and more normal. You're enjoying learning how to be a four year old at preschool. You're talking up a storm, questioning everything, playing hard. While Bekeh's cartwheeling all over town, you're doing handstands (donkey kicks more accurately) all over the place. You've gotten pretty good and you think it's hilarious when you fall on your head. You still whine to the point of hysterics, every single time we ask you to go get your shoes. It's insanity. We've worked and worked on it, but if we say, "Go bring me your shoes," you lose it. And we lose it, and it's a lost moment of ridiculousness on all our parts. And it happens 2-3 times a day. But, alas, our whole day used to be filled with RAD drama, so we'll keep working through your shoe drama in the same fashion, and soon we'll be on the other side of it too. Your scar is healing beautifully after your surgery. You hate when we rub on it to break up the scar tissue, but you love that your lips aren't cracking and bleeding constantly! Thank you Jesus for all the healing you've brought to us.

We celebrate your 4th Birthday on Friday. You're 4 but who would know it. You couldn't guess by the 18 month tag in your loose pants, or the 2T label on your shirts. You couldn't guess it by the way you form your words, or the tone of your giggle. Even the tiny size 8 shoes on your feet mask your years. And although you've been slow to grow this past year, I look back at pictures and I see you becoming a little boy. The round baby face is fading away. I love you precious. You are perfect just the adorable size you are!

And no Spring update in Texas is complete without Bluebonnet pictures.

Nathan (our 9yr old) and I will be heading to Ethiopia next May 19th. I'm anxious and excited about returning to visit Bekeh and Caleb's birthfamily in their village. It will be a great opportunity to introduce Nathan to the culture and people that we have fallen in love with, as well as check in on Bekeh and Caleb's 3 bio sisters still living there. We are preparing pictures of B&C from this past year of growing to present to their father and we know it's going to be a great time of fellowship with them. We are traveling with the Rowell's and I can't wait to meet and hug and kiss and love all over their new son. Please keep us in your prayers this next month!

13 Months Together!

2011-02-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

LOVE FEST 2011

Before

It's been a major love fest around the Root house for the last month. To get things started, it was finally time for Caleb to undergo surgery for the repair of his cleft lip. His poor lip protruded into his right nostril causing him all sorts of trouble breathing and the wet skin portion of his lip was pulled up where it was constantly exposed to the air and would dry out non stop. This produced a lot of painful cracking and bleeding for him. The surgery went better than expected and we are prayerful this will be the only time he needs to have work done on it.

Being alone in the hospital during his surgery, and again at night with him (after the wonderful visits from family in the evening) was a God send. Knowing I would have a mountain of time alone, I went prepared with an iPhone full of praise music and sermons I had been wanting to listen to for some time. I told the Lord ahead of time I was expecting some major breakthroughs to happen, and I wasn't leaving the hospital without them!

That night in the dark room, while he lay sleeping, God and I encountered each other powerfully. I, yielded, heart broken for Caleb, submitted, desirous, begging, and God willing, loving, giving, and all powerful.

Let me share an excerpt from a great book I had just read. . .
This Means War - Equipping Christian Families for Fostercare or Adoption by Cheryl Ellicott

So we survived and continued on, but I still struggled with guilt because I didn't feel as strong of a bond with them as I thought I should. In my mind, I was passionate about being a loving mother, but my emotions felt. . . anemic. I was so tired. Many times I prayed, asking for forgiveness for my feelings of apathy and for help to feel a deep parental love for these kids; it was still lacking.

One day I realized something vital: The only love that was missing was the "natural" love - the feeling of a bond between mother and child. Under natural circumstances, this strong emotional bond motivates and guides parents as they protect and raise their child. However, adoption isn't natural and these children are not as they should have been (without damage); they have extra challenges and I've been called to have something higher than natural love.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matt 5:46-47NIV)

My lack of strong emotion actually was the natural response to this situation! You might not form a strong emotional bond with this child, but that's okay because you can still love them; God's love is supernatural. Yes, I'm parenting, but under these circumstances, the typical parental feelings may or may not blossom; it doesn't matter. My mission is to nurture these kids, include them as part of a loving family, teach them scripture, and pray God will touch their lives in a powerful way and call them into a relationship with Himself. Nothing else matters.

My mission has been hard and will continue to be so - because I'm weak. But God is strong and faithful; He answers prayer, and I still truly and wholeheartedly believe in miracles.

The song Stay Amazed by Gateway Worship was playing on my iPod. The climactic point of song began to build in which it cries out to God, "I'm pouring out my love on you," and I began to shake uncontrollably as everything in my soul and spirit began to cry out to God.

Was she staring into my soul when she wrote this? Surely she was writing about me and not herself? This helped remove the guilt. A huge first step in healing so you can be set free of something. It was necessary for me to let go of the guilt, and once that was gone, the desire to bond with Caleb was not prayed for out of guilt for my own feelings, but out of pure desire for him. I knew I loved him and was giving him a life he deserved. I knew he might never know the difference, and God had bonded us to a beautiful point. But I began to desire more in the last months. I began to realize that he didn't remember life before me, and so he loved me completely. Didn't he deserve that in return? As a child, didn't he deserve to be loved like every other child God had created and placed in families? The ability to ask for this type of love was gained through the prior 13 months of breakthroughs. One laid the foundation for the next, and I pray I continue to have breakthrough after breakthrough after breakthrough. I had prayed for God to fill me with love for Caleb a thousand x a thousand times before. But "WE" - Caleb and I - had a lot of growing together to do before I was capable of allowing the miracle to manifest itself, and I fought hard for 13 months to become capable.

So there I was, in a dark hospital room with this child just hours out of surgery, and I felt sad for him in his pain, but I was still on the outside of it. I comforted him, and soothed him, and loved him . . . but it was still. . . anemic. And then Stay Amazed by Gateway Worship began playing on my iPod. The climax of the song began to build and cry out, "I'm pouring out my love on you, I'm pouring out my love on you." and everything in my soul (my mind, will and emotions) and everything in my spirit (which was SO alive with the presence of the Holy Spirit) began crying out to God in pure desperation. As I lay there, fully prostrate, face buried in the plastic couch a thousand worried parents had slept in before, I began to shake uncontrollably and my body went numb. I began to cry out to God, "Take it! I'm pouring it all out to you! I'm giving everything I have to you Lord. There is no love left within me, I'm pouring it all out on your feet. Take all of it Lord, but fill me back up. Fill me back up Lord and when you do, fill me utmost with a true parental love for Caleb. nothing lacking, nothing missing, nothing forced. 100% natural, 100% genuine, 100% complete, 100% mommy to pure born son." Over and over I wept and shook and cried out. I swear if the nurse had come in to check his vitals at this point he would have admitted me next door to the psych ward! The song ended and I stood up, the feeling coming slowly back into my body, and my breath and heartbeat returning to normal. I looked over to Caleb lying in his bed, and of course I wondered. Is anything different? I crawled in bed with him, I promised him things would be different going forward. I whispered how much he was loved and how much mommy was going to love him unconditionally for the rest of his life. But I've done that a thousand times.

I laid back down on my plastic couch with the sheet that wouldn't stay on, and I slept fitfully through the night with the nurses coming and going, and we were released. Same motions, same care and concern. We met daddy for lunch, we picked the kids up from school, daddy came home from work, it was time for dinner. And then God revealed himself. Headed to my room to change, clothes half way off, I hear a scream from the other side of the house. It's Caleb. I knew Jason was just feet from him, I had just left them, and for the past 13 months that would have been enough. Daddy will comfort him, his needs will be met, and that would have been enough for me. But not this time. Instantly, I changed course and half naked ran to him, ripped him from daddy's arms and checked him over. He was shaking violently - pointing to his lip where Bekeh had slammed the door in his face. I confirmed the stitches hadn't busted, and more pain meds were administered, but then as I held him, I began to cry with him. I hurt with him. I felt his pain to the core of my being, and I knew I would do anything to take it away from him. I recognized this feeling. I had it for my three biological kids, and often for Bekeh, whenever they were hurt. I had never experienced it with Caleb. Like I said, I had always felt sad for him when he was hurting, but I had never felt his pain with him. I began to cry harder, this time in thanksgiving that God had truly thoroughly answered my prayers.

10 Days After Surgery

Let me tell you, Caleb is a different child. I didn't share with my family for days what had happened between God and I and Caleb at Children's. But they began to say, "Man, Caleb's a whole different child since his surgery." How much more joyful, happier, brighter, talkative, skippier and crazier Caleb has been is the most talked about thing in our house to this day. Everyone has noticed the difference in our relationship, but more so, the difference it has made in Caleb.

I believed the lie that Caleb would never know the difference. I needed to let go of the guilt and understand that stage was all part of the process, but Caleb understood the difference. He knows what it is to be COMPLETELY loved like everyone else and even though the behaviors and interactions between us aren't really that much different, he still knows something is different, and he's flourishing in it.

I know in my heart of hearts adoptions is unnatural, and the things that result have to be formed by supernatural ties. But I more so know that MY GOD is in the business of supernatural relationships and He desires to completely redeem, completely heal, completely bond, and completely set us free to be who we are created to be both in the supernatural and in the natural. I know that it took 13 months of fighting like a mad woman to receive the miracle of a pure natural love for Caleb, and I would fight it over again and will continue to fight for the rest of my life to continually gain more and more breakthroughs for my good, my families good, and FOR GOD'S GLORY!

To say the least, celebrating Valentines Day was a beautiful day around here. We had a blast. Caleb and Bekeh both started preschool this month, and they are loving it. They have a long way to go to fit in academically and socially with their peers, but they are so excited, so adorable, and so friendly, they're fitting in fine and doing amazing.

Valentines Day - 4 Days Post Surgery

His lip is healing beautifully. I keep standing in authority over it and telling it to heal and for the pigment to return evenly and appropriately. It will happen. God is good. We continue to grow, experience setbacks and breakthroughs, and most of all we continue to gain wisdom and be filled with the Holy Spirit and His love daily. Life is good, so good.

Snow Buddies

2011-02-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

ONE YEAR TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

One year. We looked toward this day all through the tough times of waiting, and transition, and bonding. We looked toward this benchmark with hopeful hearts, and faithful eyes that surely by this date God would have grafted us together, made us one family, united, totally in love, and bonded. It's amazing how hard we've worked over the last two years. First to get them home to us, and then to make them part of our family. One of my favorite quotes of Dr Phil is, "Time heals nothing, it only provides the opportunity for healing and growth." We have made every use of every opportunity, especially the ones we failed initially, to grow, push harder, claw towards each other with commitment and love. We've still got a long way to go, but I'm in awe of our Heavenly Father who has shown Himself so close, who has spoken to our hearts when we didn't have the words to say, who has shown us how to love these strangers as our own, just as He first loved us and adopted us.
It's unbelievable that in 12 months they've gone from speaking no English, to talking non-stop. And I mean, non-stop. One of the most frequently heard phrase in our house is, "Bekeh, please, hush for a little bit!" The two of them have such different personalities, but they are so perfectly designed for this family, just as goofy, off the wall, crazy, and a bit dramatic and emotional at times too! Caleb's gone from being a baby to a little boy this year. No more diapers, no more crying fits for hours, no more whining constantly. He now talks, demands, and manipulates our hearts with his adorable smile. Bekeh is learning so much every day. How to write, recognize her letters, and how to open and break everything in the house.
They don't really remember life in Ethiopia anymore. The things they regurgitate are things we've told them. It makes me sad, but I know it was inevitable at their ages. We are mom and dad, and they are our children. We have the five best kiddos on the planet and I'm so glad God gave them to us in His perfect timing and by His perfect plan.

December - 11 months together!

2010-12-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

December was an amazing time at our Crazy home. We had a fun family activity planned for every day of the month and had a time of reading the different scriptures in the story and prophecy surrounding Christ's birth each evening. We went on hikes in the nature reserve, had late night trips to Starbucks, Marble Slab runs, made special holiday treats, celebrated Christmas with all of our friends and family, and had a wonderful night with many of Bekeh and Caleb's Ethiopian "cousins" in our home. Bekeh and Caleb thought at first Christmas was just something in our house, and then became overwhelmed and shocked every time they saw Christmas lights, trees, and decorations up in other people's homes and businesses. They soon caught on that everybody loved Christmas too, and they ate it all up. They were thrilled with Santa's visit to our house, and are already talking about him visiting next year and what they want. It was truly a time of peace between all of us. It's amazing how much these two little precious kisses have been grafted into our family and are just "one of us" now. We are constantly reminded of how grateful we are that God adopted us into His family through the birth and sacrifice of His precious Son. We believe, oh how desperately we believe.

November - 10 Months Together!!!!

2010-11-19T15:09:00.000-08:00

Bekeh loves wearing her hair in "Ponies."

This is the face of pure preciousness.

Caleb LOVES his Gigi! We visit her everyday and he always wants to be the first and last to hug her. On Thanksgiving day he only wanted to sit with her and warm up. She eats it all up.

These two fight more than any of the other siblings but they are a tight crew. Bekeh talks about Corban non stop while he's at school each day and everything that happens she says, "I'm going to tell Corban about. . . " Corban complains non-stop about how annoying Bekeh is, but he's always grabbing her to play games, and goofing around with her the most. They don't fool this momma!

Let's just call November, BREAKTHROUGH. Satan had been selling this family a lie and we had been believing it hook line and sinker. This mom, me, Gina, had agreed with the enemy of our souls that I was a terrible mom incapable of handling Bekeh and Caleb correctly. I was frequently found huddled in my closet begging God to explain to me why He thought this whole adoption thing was a right fit for ME and my family. I had allowed well intentioned people to make me doubt God's specific word and plan for our family. When I stepped outside His will and direction, and followed the advice of others on how to raise my children, it wasn't pretty! Guilt is an ugly place to parent from and it only leads to walls and destructive patterns. We were building up walls to our bonding faster than God could nourish the attachment. It was calm and peaceful on the outside, and painful and lost on the inside. And then, in a one hour conversation with a dear sister, it all fell. We were talking about her, and the Lord revealed everything to me. In an instant it all changed. The guilt was gone, the walls were in crumbles, and the bond was restored. God is a God of miracles and what I had battled and prayed for without ceasing, and prayed and cried through for months came to pass in one instant when I let go of the guilt. God calls us to adoption, and He knows ahead of time all the times we will fail miserably. He knew every time we would mess things up more than we made them better. He knew every weed in Jason's heart, every deep weed in my heart, every trauma and pain in Bekeh and Caleb's past that would rear it's ugly head. He knew it all, and He still called us to it, and He knew it would all turn out beautifully. I had to hold on to that while we were in the thick of it, I believed it would all come to pass, and it did. Thank you Jesus for loving us enough to bring us back into your will when we lose track. Thank you for looking ahead and seeing what's best for us and assuring us when we are blind and incapable in the moment. Thank you for Bekeh and Caleb. Thank you for our crazy family.

October - 9 Months Together!!

2010-10-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

These two are amazing together. Love these sisters.

Caleb and Rhett

Caleb kept saying, "We're same!"

A boy and his cars.

Now that's scary!

This boy loves his daddy!

October was tough. Really tough. It's our favorite month of the year in the Root house and we made fabulous memories with Caleb and Bekeh. They loved Halloween, fall, pumpkins, and the cooler weather. We struggled this month with bonding, attachment, fits, rages, and being a big family. It was hard, but God was bigger, and looking back, there were a ton more fabulous moments amongst the struggles. Bekeh and Caleb are delightful joys, their smiles are contagious and we love them to pieces.

AWAA ET REUNION 2010

2010-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing road trip over the Labor Day weekend to Nashville, TN. We traveled to be a part of the 2010 Ethiopia Program Reunion for all families in our Agency. It was wonderful to meet many of the families we've come to "know" so well through our online support group.

We started our road trip at 3am on Friday morning. Everyone, except our fearless leader, slept until we reached Arkadelphia, Arkansas. We stopped to refuel, get in a couple of caches, and eat breakfast. Our first cache was at this historic cemetary. The kids loved looking at all the old headstones and trying to find the oldest ones.

This whole feeding a family of seven thing on our budget is still fairly new to all of us. It was our first trip of this length to 1. Drive instead of fly, and 2. to pack food and stop at rest stops rather than fast food establishments. The kids weren't sure at first, but getting to run around outside in the beautiful weather, and play around while they ate quickly made it their favorite new way to dine. We hit the road for the second leg of the trip and were anxious to make it to Memphis. The kids were excited about visiting an Apple Orchard.

Turned out, unlike they had promised me on the phone when I called that week, Apples were not ripe for the picking. Nonetheless, the kids enjoyed running through the orchard and riding on the side of the car through the rows of fruit trees. Mom enjoyed snapping a gazillion photos.

Caleb enjoyed goofing off in the apple trees more than anything. It was a miracle he stood still long enough to capture a focused shot.

After the fun in the orchard, and a quick lunch, it was time for mom to drive the last leg of the trip from Memphis to Nashville! We arrived, settled into our room and headed off to the Welcome BBQ. It was wonderful to hug all those beautiful necks!

Back in the room for the night Corban was having fun with mom's camera and everyone was hamming it up. Bekeh especially got caught in a doozy!!! Mom and Dad look great for surviving the 14 hour drive in the car!

There were five in the bed, and the little one said, Roll Over! Roll Over! So they all rolled over. . . . . . .and that's no joke.

Seven people in a single two queen hotel room. The W hotels are nice, thankfully, but we were still like caged rats!

The next two days were filled with great times with our friends. The kids met up with several friends they had shared their stay in the Transistion Home in Ethiopia with. When they met up with John and Ryan, who were there the entirety of their stay, they didn't need to be reintroduced or encouraged to play, they just jumped right in to giggling and playing with each other like old times.

Bekeh especially loved meeting back up with her BFF Winnie. Winnie lives in Ohio now, but we've been blessed to see her three times since we've been home. Bekeh was invited to a sleepover in Winnie's room, and she was so excited. They also went to the mall and bought matching earrings. Bekeh treasures them like precious gold.

We went to the waterpark in Nashville. It was a beautiful day, but the water was freezing. The kids love the water no matter what, so they didn't seem to mind!

We finished the trip off with a fabulous breakfast at the Loveless Cafe. This carbaholic was in heaven!

We hadn't found any souvenirs worth buying, and then we found Music City Roots gear at the Loveless Shop. We were thrilled. We bought a beer stein, 3 tshirts, a sticker, some earrings, and a hat. They're perfect!

It was great just to laugh and hang out as a family. We have been so busy lately, especially daddy with his work, and we didn't even realize how much we needed just complete decompression time! Talking with the families, encouraging one another, gathering wisdom from many who had been home longer than us . . . it was an amazing trip!

7 Months Together!

2010-08-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

I sat down with Brooklyn and asked her how she thought the last month had gone with the transition and the family, and she said it perfectly, "It's been good Mom. Everyone's been in a good mood, and it's seemed, well, just normal around here." That's exactly what the 7th Month felt like, just normal. No drama, no trauma, no sorrow, no overwhelming stress. Just life, pretty well balanced, all getting done, lots of laughter, lots of fun, normal family of seven kind of stuff.
Bekeh and Caleb, you've settled in and found your niche in the family. You aren't visitors, you aren't strangers, you're a sister, a brother, a daughter, a son, a Crazy Root - you're just fun filled life living little Texans.

The most exciting and eventful moment of this month was when a judge here in our County declared that you are now Citizens, Officially Texans, and full fledged card carrying members of the United States of America. Your adoption is now recorded in the hallowed halls of the State of Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics, your birthdays are now officially 04-22-07 and 05-05-05 and your names are now legally and forevermore Bekelech Eva Root and Caleb Wesley Dereje Root. YeeHaw!

We spent several days with your cousins this month and it was so precious to watch the four of you together. Two from China, two from Ethiopia, but four cousins for the rest of your lives. You guys played non stop and giggled even longer. I could have never dreamed this beautiful picture in a million years just a short bit ago. God is amazing and His plans for our lives are unbelievable!

David and Shanna came into town with Kyle and we had a fun evening at Medieval Times. You guys loved the horses and all the loud cheering. Most of all you guys love Mr. David and Ms. Shanna, and they love you too. We can not wait for them to be matched with their son in Ethiopia so you guys can have another Ethiopian cousin in the family!

Daddy's highlight of this month was getting to take the two of you to your first live performance. We take your brothers and sisters to the theater all the time, and it starts young. You guys were thrilled to go to The Wiggles! Daddy said you two never stopped bouncing for a single moment! You were laughing and dancing and a delight for all those around you to watch. When you got home you couldn't talk fast enough to tell us all about it. I am so thrilled you had an exciting date with daddy. There will be many more to come.

School starts Monday. I'm a bit nervous about you starting Kindergarten Bekeh. But we've prayed about it alot and we know it's the best decision for you. It's still scary. I worry for you going so long without a nap, I worry about your teacher keeping up with your huge personality in a class of kids, I'm worried about you being behind, and being smaller than the other kids. It's just normal ol momma worries. I know you'll do great. It's going to be a great time for Caleb and I too. We're going to get to play together and really bond as mom and son while everyone else is in class. I can't wait. It's still over 100 degrees everyday here, so just because school is starting doesn't mean we won't still live in the pool the rest of the day. You'll love that too. It's you're favorite thing about living here! :)

Seven months as a family of seven. Wow. The light at the end of this tunnel is blinding and beautiful! We'll leave you this month with a sampling of what we get to listen to non-stop around the Root house. NON-STOP. Beautiful chaos!

6 Months Together!

2010-07-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we've been together 6 months, a full half year!!!

Caleb

You are such an adorable ham. The light in your eyes turned on a couple of months ago, and you are such a delight. You are learning English so fast. "I want one." "I need to go potty." "Where's Bekeh?" "Time to go night night?" "No, not this one. I want that one." "Caleb no whining! No spankings. Spanking yucky." "Bekeh eat a cheese-a-bugger?" "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" "No Lem-no-ade. No water. I want Spite!" "That's green." "Daddy at work?" "Mommy got an owie?" . . . . . just a sampling of what I've heard in the last few minutes while editing your pics for this post. You talk, or make noise at least, constantly. Your older brothers and sister are constantly asking you to be quiet for a second!

Our favorite things you do. . . you love to make funny faces and pretend to be a monster walking around with your hands in the air, your body bent over, moaning and shaking. Once you begin laughing you'll laugh for minutes on end, and by the end, we're all giggling uncontrollably.

You are the easiest little boy to put to sleep. All I have to say is "Close your eyes." and where ever you are you close your eyes, scrunch up your face, and within a minute or two, you're snoring.

I can count the accidents you've had on one hand since you moved into big boy underwear. Clothes are still a favorite thing. You love having pants, and if I didn't watch you closely you would change pants a hundred times a day. Every time you go potty and we pull your pants back on, you giggle and clap your hands with delight. Sometimes when you need disciplining for a bad choice in the bath tub or after swimming, making you wear your underwear without pants on is worse to you than a spanking or time out.

Being in the water is your favorite thing ever. You live to be in the water. Not really in the water, more under the water. If a child could grow gills by desire, you'd have a set. We literally have to pull you up and make you take a breath. You love it and you go non stop. You love to be thrown in the air as high as we can, and come splashing down and then sit under water happily until we grab you and pull you up. It's crazy, and you amaze everyone who watches you enjoy it so completely.

You no longer hide under blankets, but you still love them. You love hand towels. You carry one around with you everywhere. It's your cape, your skirt, your head wrap, your rope. I'm constantly picking up random dish and hand towels from around the house you've laid aside.

You've grown a lot in the past 6 months, but you're still tiny. 18 month pants still fall off you. But you have massive hands, and little feet. It's a funny combination. You've changed so much in 6 months, I can't imagine what the next 6 months will hold for you and our family. We love you like crazy.

Bekeh

You are an adorable firecracker, spitfire, mischievous, sweet princess. Over the weekend Brooklyn was chatting away with her cousin Natalie and ignoring you. After the 5th or 6th "Brooklyn!" from you, she, being highly annoyed, yelled back, "What?" You stopped, rolled your neck around as if to say, excuse me! and instantly shot back at her, with big attitude, "I'll tell you what!"

You love to test your boundaries. If mommy says, "Here's your water." You sass back with, "Bekeh no water! I want apple juice." Which quickly gets you no drink at all for the bit. You still have to try it every time though. When I put the paint away, you get it back out. You hate the consequence, but it's still your job to try it. That's what 5 year olds do. They see the boundary and have to try and move it. Thank goodness I love you enough to stay the boss. Today you told me I was not the boss. Someday you'll learn that's just a challenge to mom's to prove you wrong. But for today, we just laughed and giggled with a tickle game of "uh-huh I'm the boss!"

Even with the amazing size of your attitude, your delightful loving side is even bigger. You love to stroke faces, and rub hair. You love everything that smells good. You make everyone, and I mean EVERYONE smell your hands if you have on lotion or perfume, or recently washed soap lingering.

You have an excellent memory! If anyone loses something in the house, all we have to do is ask you where it is, and you'll go straight to it and bring it to us. Not sure yet if that's because you have a photographic memory of everywhere we've dropped our things, or if you're the one who took them and caused us to lose them in the first place. Either way, we're glad you always know where things are!

You are super duper smart. You and Brooklyn are having a wonderful time playing school this summer. She takes you into the room y'all share, and she has the alphabet and number charts hanging on the wall. She takes you through the pages of your alphabet and numbers workbook. You pay closer attention to her than you do me, so it works great. You've learned most of your animals, many letters by sight of the alphabet, all your colors, how to count objects to 15, although you always skip 8, and you know all your shapes. You're an expert at puzzles, especially puzzles that make pictures out of shapes. You speak in complete sentences, and know how to express your needs and wants very clearly.

You still love to sing. You no longer sing in Kembaatan. Your favorite songs to sing loudly are Itsy Bitsy Spider, One Two Buckle My Shoe, and Lady Gaga's Bad Romance and Poker Face, the Glee versions. Even Caleb sings along. It's pitiful what you're being exposed to by your siblings!

The transition, attachment, and bonding are going good. My mother in law paid me the biggest compliment yesterday. She said, "I tell everyone how amazed I am how easy you guys are making this look and how well you've added two more to your family. When you say, "Let's go" everyone falls in line and obeys. I know it's not easy, but you've done a great job." Jason and I love watching So You Think You Can Dance on t.v., and one of the greatest compliments the judges give the dancers is to say they make their movements look effortless. I felt like a leaping ballerina.

The last six months have been the most difficult months of our life. I never knew two innocent beautiful children could shred my self-confidence so completely and make me question everything I ever believed about myself in such a short period of time. I never thought after raising 3 children that the 4th and 5th ones would make me question what God was thinking when He made me a mother. I've known my husband for 20+ years, and yet I found myself wondering at times over the last 6 months why he didn't run scared. And all of it, the fact that this transition almost cracked us, and yet we made it look effortless, is not a testament to us, or the strength of our love, family or marriage. . . it's all a testament to the power of God, the empartation of skills and wisdom by the Holy Spirit, and the power of downright desperate prayer and brokenness before His throne. There were times I cried out to Heaven to show me the way to send them back to Ethiopia. It's honest, and true. I didn't mean them as soon as the words left my tongue, but for some reason my flesh needed to scream it out in that desperate moment for some relief. There were times I thought that if anyone could really see the mom I was behind closed doors they would throw me away with no pardon. And yet, God calls me spotless and beautiful. There have been times I've questioned whether I've ruined my three biological kids lives, and yet, God showed me how much they've grown and how huge their capacity to love has been expanded to. There were many times a day I asked God what He was thinking, and many times He answered, "I have great plans for you and your family Gina." Too many times I cracked, and He healed me, stronger than I was before. Too many times I messed up, and He showed me His power to redeem and restore. We're through the deepest valleys of the transition so far. There will be others. Each new season of their lives will bring with it new challenges and new expressions of their attachment and bonding needs. But, we're ready for them. We love them so deeply. Jason's 100% there, he loves them as he loves the other three. I'm not there yet. I'm closer than ever and I can see it in our future, clearer than I thought possible even two months ago, but it takes time. I've read others say it at 8 months, others at 12, some at 2 years together or more. God has planted them in my heart forever, I'm not worried about when they bloom there as brightly as Corban, Nathan, and Brooklyn. I know they will, I know they're getting close.

It's been a beautiful half year, and I can't wait for the next 6 months. Fall is my favorite season, and then there's Thanksgiving and Christmas. What an amazing time it will be, and so much richer as a family of seven.

Summer Fun!

2010-07-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

The kids have absolutely no fear of the water so we're really enjoying spending most days in the pool. We shot video yesterday when they decided it was a good day to figure out how to kick and move their arms and actually swim. Sorry we forgot to turn the iPhone horizontal to get a better pic! Next time!

Bekeh tried first. . . .

And whatever Bekeh does, Caleb has to do. . . .

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

God has purchased our freedom with his Son's blood and has forgiven all our sins. Colossians 1:14 NLT

We love celebrating July 4th! One of Jason's favorite activities is watching fireworks, and so each year we celebrate at Kaboomtown in Addison. We were anxious this year to introduce one of our favorite family outings to Bekeh and Caleb. They absolutely loved it!

As you can see, itt was rainy and soggy, but worth it! The show was amazing, as always. It lasted a little over 25 minutes and was beautifully coreographed with the music. Bekeh especially loved the purple ones!

We were excited that Mimi was able to join us for the festivities, it had been many years since she'd grabbed a seat on the grass and enjoyed the show with us.

We were also excited to have all of Nana's family join us! Jason's grandmother, young at 92, was driven down from Wisconsin by Uncle Tom and his wife Charlotte, and Aunt Janice and her son Tripp flew in from Hawaii.

The kids had a blast with Uncle Tom. He's really a big kid at heart, and one of his passions in life is toys that light up. The street vendors were thrilled to have him attend last night, and so were our children! They loved the swords and light sabers and all other gadgets that Tom purchased and let them pass around all night! Thanks goodness for his collection of duct tape as well. Bekeh and Caleb still aren't good at being careful, and there were many emergency repairs in the field.

With the Hurricane in the gulf we've been experiencing very soggy weather around here, and we were anxious that the fireworks would be rained out. Janice and Tripp had requested the trip take place this time of year specifically to see them! We prayed like crazy and although it was black and downpoured through dinner at 6:30pm, by 9:45pm when they began, it was perfectly clear! Thank you Jesus!

It's really a free for all who joins us every year. Some years it's just family, other years just friends, most years a little of both! We always park it in the same spot and everyone and anyone who wants to join us is always welcome! It's a standing invitation, so perhaps next year it will be you!

May God Bless America and May God Bless You!

5 Months Together!

2010-06-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

It's crazy how fast this transistion period is flying by. I have so much to say about how far you guys have come this month, with your english, your bonding, your peace and comfort. But, I'm just exhausted and it's stinking hot here in Texas. I believe this monthly update is simply going to be about your gorgeous faces, and less words!

You guys have no fear, and no sense of which end is up when you're tumbling and having fun!

We really loved traveling to Houston for the Memorial Day Weekend. You guys got to hang out with several of your buddies from the Transistion Home in Ethiopia, and I got a chance to chat the day away with my Yahoo Group Sisters!

My sweet fellow AWAA Mom Cindi Koceich with Selah Studios took these portraits of the kids and we love them so much.

"Mommy, Bekeh like Ethiopia better."

2010-06-09T14:56:00.001-07:00

So, Bekeh you've really been missing your homeland a lot lately. Our trip to Houston was perfectly timed, thanks to the Holy Spirit.

Your friend from the Transistion Home in Ethiopia flew in from Ohio, and y'all got to spend the day together. You were thrilled to see Winnie, and we could tell it really helped you to have "part of Ethiopia" back in your life.

Look at how sweet you were playing "Coffee" in Ethiopia and now the smiles are just as big when you're together in Texas! Today was an especially good day. We laughed and giggled a lot. "This is awesome!" came out of your mouth over and over. After awhile I asked you, "Do you like being at Mommy's house?" You looked at me for awhile and softly said, "No. I like Askalech's house." I understand sweet Bekeh. All the food, love, and security in the world doesn't take away the hurt of leaving your family and your sister behind. Mommy said, "I'm sorry you cannot see Askalech, I know you miss her." You said, "Mommy, Bekeh like Ethiopia better." And I gave you a big hug.

So, then I asked you, "Do you like Mommy?" And you smirked and said, "NO!" "NO? What can Mommy do better?" I asked with a smile. You giggled and said, "Mommy play kitchen in my room." "Oh! I see. . ." And off we went to bake plastic veggies. . .

4 Months Together!

2010-05-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Do you know how I know things are settling into a little bit of normal around here? It's difficult for me to sit and think about what you two have done in the past month with us. For the first time since January, the family has not solely revolved around the two of you. I know that in and of itself might sound offensive to you guys, but I assure you it's the best thing for you. You have joined our family, and you are finally becoming part of our family, not this separate entity that sends out amazing and beautiful light and energy but also creates a gravitational pull that yanks everything around into it!

Caleb, I've been anxiously waiting to write this post for one reason, to announce to the world that you no longer use me as a battering ram. Wow, where did that word come from? I was thinking punching bag and battering ram came out of my keyboard. That just started a whole thing with the Holy Spirit in me. Whoa.

Siege armies used a battering ram to break down a gatehouse door or even smash a castle wall. To shield themselves from attack, they built a covered shed, in which they hung a thick tree trunk on chains suspended from a beam above. Carpenters tapered the trunk into a blunt point and capped it with iron. Soldiers swung the hanging trunk back and forth, and the forward end of the trunk moved in and out of the shed like a tortoise's head, battering its target. Castle defenders tried to burn the shed down with flaming arrows, though attackers responded by covering the shed with animal pelts or earth to make it fireproof.

I was never your battering ram Caleb, mommy had it all wrong. Jesus was your battering ram. He was the large tree breaking down the walls you built around your heart. I was simply part of the covering shed. I took the fiery arrows from the enemy trying to stop us from breaking down the strongholds. You weren't firing the arrows sweetheart, you were the prisoner locked inside we were trying to rescue. It wasn't until we covered ourselves in the blood of Jesus that we became fireproof and finally knocked through to where you were hiding. Oh praise your name Holy Spirit for showing me that just now. Thank you for being a battering ram for all of us, and forgive me for all those months I wasted feeling sorry for myself because I placed myself as that tree and whined about the beating I was taking against the castle wall. Thank you for tearing that wall down on April 24th and bringing Caleb out from his bondage.

Wow Son, didn't expect God to speak through my typing this blog post, but that's the cool thing about your Heavenly Daddy, He shows up everywhere. That just changed my perspective on everything in 5 minutes. Gotta take a break and process and pray, be right back.

Deep breath. Ok, Caleb, so, our bonding nightmare is behind both of us, and we're able to just move forward with normal bonding. It will take months and years and will never stop, but at least we're together finally. No more frantic screaming, no more avoiding eye contact, no more hiding under blankets. You still startle really easy, it will take time for you to trust and find peace, but we'll get there together. As you toddled around the house today playing and trying to talk in your undecipherable jibberish, I thought to myself, "I really do enjoy that boy." You are hilarious, you have a snorting laugh that cracks us up, you announce very loudly anytime anyone burps or toots in the house, and your cheeks are filling out with extra sweetness enough that the most adorable dimples have appeared! Just squeezable. I love your prayers. I love how you repeat "Caleb no tee tee on the floor, that's yucky. No tee tee in pants, yucky. No tee tee on Bekeh in bath, that's yucky." everytime you go potty. You don't have accidents, maybe because you remind yourself so often. . . You're talking a lot, although it takes one of us to interpret for you to outsiders. Still got a lazy tongue and lips, but we'll work on it! You love playing outside, you love playing pretend kitchen, and you still love WIGGLES!

Bekeh. Your biggest change this month has been in your peace. Although you still pout when you feel left out of anything, which is a lot, you are a more peaceful person. I think a lot has to do with the fact that you now have a voice and vocabulary to express your needs. The other day you came in to me after school and said, "Mommy, Bekeh no like this dress. No more wear it." You had whined everytime I put it on you previously and just got chidded for being whiney. It was good to express your taste, cause the dress went in the giveaway box, and you were very pleased. You have also learned the concept of money and buying. You received a birthday card from Great Grandma Mullen, and about thirty minutes after opening it you came to me and said, "Mommy, where my money from Grandma Mullen?" I laughed cause you were so serious and it was your longest thought and phrase to get out clearly up til then. So I said, "It's in your wallet." Immediatley you responded, "Where's my wallet?" So I showed you in the kitchen. The next day you saw a Wiggles coloring book at the store and begged for it. I said no, and you said in an excessively whiney voice, "Bekeh want it." So I said, "Do you want to buy it with your money in your wallet?" Your eyes lit up and we bought the coloring book and when we got home you counted out five dollars (it was a thick one) and gave it to me. You carried that book around everywhere and told everyone, "Bekeh bought it - money!" I love being able to talk with you now. It's still progressing, and you have to have insider knowledge to understand everything, but you've been telling me whose absent at school, whose parents visited the classroom, who got in trouble in class, what you did, where you want to go, what you think about things, etc. I can't wait to really learn about your personality more when you can express all those amazing things swimming around in your head!I love this picture because Brooklyn took it, and you'll smile differently for her, and because you're wearing a beloved article of clothing! Brooklyn, Emily, and Natalie all received these Hello Kitty nightgowns from Mimi manyyears ago when they were tiny. I think Brooklyn had just turned 3. When she got it, it came to her ankles, and she was still wearing it last month, only it barely covered her toosh. But she loved it and would never let it go. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I convinced her it was time because it didn't have to go away, she could pass it down to you. It was actually a tough choice for her, but seeing you in it makes her smile, and me too! I love that you will wear it til it's bone thin and barely covers your hiney too.

I'll try and take notes during month five so I'll have more to report, but it was an AMAZING month and we've come so far in getting used to each other and figuring this whole new normal out! Love you babies! (Oh, sorry, you HATE it when I call you that. You don't understand the concept of nicknames or terms of endearment at all!!!) SO. . . .Love you big girl and big boy!

Bear's Coming Home!

2010-05-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

We are so blessed to have a tight knit group of Ethiopian/Texan families that we share this journey with. Bekeh especially loves Ms. Linda, and thoroughly enjoys our car rides to lunch. She's been waiting for "her baby from Ethiopia" to come and play with her and we're thrilled to pieces he's on his way home this week!!!! He's gotten so big since we held him and kissed all over him for Ben and Linda in January. Can't wait to kiss all over him some more this weekend! He's coming Bekeh and you can play with him again finally! We love you Bereket!!

Let's Party!

2010-05-11T13:56:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we had a wonderful birthday party out at my brother's place to celebrate Caleb, Bekeh, and Rhett's birthdays. They each came home to our families in January of this year after being adopted through America World, so this was their first American Birthday, and we went all out!It was a cool family affair, and the kids were happily overwhelmed with the attention, and especially the gifts.
Caleb's favorite gift was from Nana, a green ride on Dog. It was the first gift opened, and he sat upon it to open all the others! He and Papa must have ridden up and down the steep driveway a hundred times!Bekeh loved her kitchen from Nana, earrings from Grammy and Papa, and is having a blast with all the sidewalk chalk and puzzles she received. Thank you!
Every American child enjoys the thrill of devouring their very own birthday cake on their first birthday, and these three were no different. Although the majority of their smash cakes were destroyed in a mature manner with a fork, Bekeh and Caleb were forced by their brother and sister to partake with their full face as well!Their first real sugar highs!!!

The kids had a blast playing with their cousins. They played on the bounce house, the zip line, took rides on the atv cart, blew bubbles, rode bikes and scooters. . . by the time we left, everyone had black feet and required baths at 11:30 at night!

Happy Birthday beautiful babies! We were so thrilled to celebrate with you and watch you blossom with all the personalized attention! We love you Rhett! Love Ya Bekeh! Love and Kisses Caleb!

5, 5, Glorious 5!

2010-05-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

Bekeh has been waiting for her birthday for two weeks now. Somehow, on Caleb's birthday back on the 22nd of April, she understood the concept and has been literally counting down the days. First it was, "Two weeks, Bekeh's birthday!" and then "Next week is my birthday!" And Monday it was, "Two days, my birthday!" and yesterday, "Wedsay my Birthday!"
Last night I asked her how old she was and she said, "Four!" and then I asked, "How old will you be tomorrow?" and she held up all five fingers and screamed, "FFFIIIIVVVEEE!!"
So in honor of her 5th birthday today, 05-05-05, here are 5 of our favorite things about Bekeh.
1. She loves Butterflies. When I pulled out the butterfly wings from our dress up box this morning, her eyes were bigger than saucers and she began jumping up and down! Her favorite new song to request is Miley Cyrus, Butterfly Fly Away. She will do all the motions for a caterpillar, and then makes a chrysalis with her hands and then when Miley sings Butterfly fly away, she flaps her hands like a butterfly. It's adorable.
2. She's a smiley, giggly, happy, joyful girl! Sunshine follows her around. She brightens the room she enters, and her love is contagious. 3. She loves school. 11:00 is one of mommy's favorite minutes of the day. Bekeh runs out the door from school with a look of pure excitement and joy to see me, runs to my arms, and can't get all the thoughts to form into words fast enough to tell me about her day and share her creations with me. She knew she was special today sitting in the teacher's chair and having her friends sing to her. She was proud to have mommy and Caleb there to watch her dance and sing with her classmates. I was proud too. 4. Her favorite color is Yellow. She'll choose it every time. Again, she's pure sunshine. When she was first learning her colors, everything was yellow. Now that she knows them, she'll answer me correctly, i.e. "That's red. And this is yellow." and she'll point out whatever she can find that's yellow.5. She's an absolute trickster. She loves hiding things and giggling like crazy when you notice they're gone. She points and says, "Spider!" and then laughs when you look. Today at lunch Daddy asked for a kiss and she refused him and pulled away over and over, one of her favorite games, until finally when he said he didn't want one, she says, "Kiss! Kiss Daddy!" But today, instead of just kissing him, right at the last second, she stuck the apple out of her mouth and poked him with it!At McDonald's which she picked for her Birthday lunch, she was a bit quiet when I served her nuggets to her, which are normally her favorite, so I asked her what was wrong. With a very sad tone she said, "I want cheeseburger like daddy." So Jason popped up and went and ordered her a cheeseburger. She looked at me bewildered, knowing that's never worked before, and I said, "It's your birthday, you get to choose everything you want!" She took that cheeseburger from daddy's hands like it was absolute gold. Every bite she would shake her head with excitement and say, "My birthday cheeseburger!" She's already announced we're eating Pizza for dinner. Her other favorite new food, and the other four are thrilled with her decision! We make birthday's super fun around here, and she's certainly caught on. She knows she's the princess today, and I hope she feels like that everyday, for the rest of her life.
Run toward Six Bekeh, with all your heart. This is going to be a year full of new discoveries and new love. Enjoy it as much as we enjoy you sweet cheeks. Happy Birthday, we love you!

Thanks for Voting for Bekeh!

2010-04-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU! The voting has ended but our appreciation for all the support we received goes on and on. We can't express the love we felt from the thousands of votes, emails, and posts we received encouraging us about Bekeh and our adoption because of the shameless requests we put out there over and over. Adoption is a revolution God is stirring in people's hearts across the world, and we thank Him for allowing us to be ambassadors on this mission in whatever form He'll use us for His glory and for His children. God Bless you all.

Editor's Note: Bekeh ended in place 22 which is a beautiful number between the Lord and I. He speaks, I listen!

Texas Beauties

2010-04-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful photo session with my good friend Emily in the bluebonnets last week, but Bekeh loves the flowers so much she begs to stop everytime we see a patch of them on the side of the highway. Yesterday, realizing they'll be gone soon, I decided to give her her wish and dressed them back in denim and stopped at the prettiest ones I saw between here and Flower Mound. It was fun just to let them run and play and capture the shots freely. They had so much fun. Hope you enjoy too.

Bekeh's Song

2010-04-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Bekeh loves to sing, and she sings everything she thinks. Here is one of my favorite songs she sings all the time, it simply has to make you giggle.

I warned you before that she doesn't pronounce her "Ch" or "k" sounds. "Ch" comes out "sh" and "K" comes out "T," so when you're talking about Chicken, which she does ALL THE TIME, it can leave you blushing.

Imagine my shock when very loudly from the back seat out of nowhere I hear, "Mimi, Sh**Head! Silly Nathan." and the above song began, and continued for 15 minutes.

This will be a perfect intro to her Senior Year memory video someday!

3 Months Together

2010-04-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

Once again I'm amazed at how quickly this month with you two has flown by. This has certainly been a month of turning points. You've been in our arms for 1/4 of the year. 25% of 2010, you've spent as Crazy Roots. I can see clear lines in the sand where we've left certain things behind, and moved toward a more cohesive and stable family.

CALEB
Look at my proud big boy! No more baby! The Easter Bunny brought you Elmo underwear in your basket!! We began training the first thing Monday morning after Easter. On Monday you had 3 accidents, two immediately in the morning, and one late in the evening. On Tuesday you had one accident in the morning, and one late in the afternoon. And from Wednesday on, (two weeks now!) you've been a dry, going in the potty, underwear only, even at nap time and bedtime, wearing fool! You were even circumcised 8 days after beginning potty training and never missed a beat. You went immediately in the potty after surgery and didn't let your healing - or the gobs of petroleum jelly on your privates every time you go since -slow down your mission. You hated diapers and love your big boy pants and there has been no going backwards. We even got stuck in a really long car ride around town the other day, 4 hours, and you didn't have an accident. I am so proud of you Caleb!!!

You guys are so excited that Spring is here. You play outside non-stop. You even decided that being outside with hyper-Ella-the crazy dog was ok as long as your weren't indoors. It was time for 'Nathan's coming of age to learn how to mow the yard' last weekend and you were so intrigued with him pushing the mower that you insisted you and Daddy mow some too. You giggled the entire time, it was adorable.Caleb, you are talking up a storm. Your mouth is still a bit lazy, not bothering to form the sounds or finish your words all the time, but you are communicating everything you want, and understanding everything I need you to. Your favorite things in life are The Wiggles and swim goggles. You wear swim goggles everywhere. You even wore them to church last weekend, and your teacher said you never took them off. You're so adorable. You find pairs in the house I didn't even know we owned. It's hilarious. You look like a mad scientist, especially since they're usually paired with some piece of clothing you've swiped from your older siblings or daddy. We watch the same Wiggles movie every morning, per your insistence. You know every word, hand motion, exaggerated facial expression, and dance move. You and mommy have to do every single one, every single day. It is a good workout for me, and I love the bonding time with you, but I can't wait for you to agree to at least a different Wiggles video someday. . . I know all those by heart too thanks to your two brother's former obsession.

So, speaking of bonding, how's it going??, we're always asked. . . getting better and still not there yet. I feel like we belong in a Kenny Rogers song. But instead of Daytime Friends and Night time Lovers, I am your Weekday Pal and Weekend Poison. During the week I'm not allowed out of your sight, you have to be able to reach out and touch me at all times, we laugh, we giggle, we play games, I hold you, you cuddle up to me, you give me more kisses than I think I can handle, you hug constantly and don't even prefer daddy over me at lunchtime or the evenings, and you'll pass easily back and forth between us. You'll look me in the eye for extended periods of time and respond "I love you too Mommy" when I say "I love you Caleb" a thousand times a day. And that lasts until about mid afternoon on Saturday, when you realize daddy has been around and not gone to work, and then we're done. You'll scream and thrash and push and kick for hours if I hold you. When I call your name you vehemently say, "No!" and crank your head as far away from eye contact with me as possible. I'll say "I love you Caleb," and you'll say "No love mommy. No mommy. No." Attempts to play, sing, watch Wiggles, dance with you are met with louder more desperate rages of crying. Your crying can begin and last for 90 minutes or more. This continues through Sunday night, and then on Monday morning, you happily wave to everyone as they leave out the door, and when the last carpool has pulled out and it's just the two of us, you hold your arms up to me to be held and say, "Wiggles!" And as if Wally or Greg's magic wand has been waived, you're my friend again.

But, nonetheless, we're moving in the right direction. Those weekdays are wonderful, and in them you're learning I can be trusted, that I love you, that I'm not going anywhere, and that you really do love me too. It used to change every night when dad came home from work, and now it's just on the weekends. Soon, it might last until Sunday morning, and then maybe Sunday night, and then some glorious day, you might decide it's not necessary at all and you'll realize that the bond you so desperately need with a momma in your life is exactly what you have. Until then, we'll keep working harder than you thrash and praying louder than you cry, knowing that day is coming and Jesus is bringing it to us.

Bekeh
My big-eyed beautiful daughter, you've been busy this past month. Starting a few weeks after you got home, we were really having a serious problem with you having small qty wetting accidents throughout the day. You were so busy exploring all the new things around you that you wouldn't stop and go potty. I tried all my tricks and nothing was working. Turns out I just didn't know your currency. It was earrings. You wanted earrings so desperately. You would stroke mine and say "Bekeh earrings." You would walk up to me all day long holding your earlobes and just whine and grunt in dissatisfaction. I told you earrings would hurt and I would squeeze your earlobes and say "owies." and you would shake your head and say, "No, owies. Bekeh earrings." And then the moment of pure genius! I told you Babies don't have earrings, only big girls, and to be a big girl you couldn't have any shint in your panties. We made a big deal of saying three days, three night nights with no shint in panties and then Bekeh's earrings. You understood and everytime you would go potty you would look at your panties and exclaim very loudly, "Mommy!!!! No SHINT IN PANTIES! Bekeh no shint!!" You were so proud of yourself. And you would then grab your ear lobes and just nod your head at me with a quirky smile. And then it was time. We went to Southlake Town Square and I kept telling you, "Earrings are going to be owies." But you didn't care. You picked out your pair, just like Brooklyn's of course, and sat waiting. You were disappointed when you realized what we kept staring at so intently at first was only purple marker dots on your lobes. You thought we were trying to trick you and you got mad. But then the gun came out and I looked at you seriously and said, "O.K. this is the owies. Be still." She clicked that gun, and you didn't even move, blink, or flinch. I thought I was dreaming. Nathan had hidden himself on the sidewalk because he said he couldn't bear to listen to you cry. So sweet. She moved positions and clicked that earring through your second ear, and again, we were all waiting for you to cry, and nothing! You just said, "Earrings?" and I nodded and you said, with pure amazement in your voice, "No owies!" When I showed you yourself in the mirror, you would have thought they had placed the Miss America crown on your head. You were gushing over yourself. And we were gushing over you too. So brave, and so proud, you tell EVERYONE about your earrings. No one comes within 10 feet without you pointing them out. And it's been almost a month, and still no shint in your panties!!!

You have been learning so much English it's mind-boggling. You have picked up personal pronouns, "My shirt. My turn." etc instead of always, "Bekeh's turn, or Bekeh's shoes." Every time you connect a new phrase it makes me laugh, it's just so cute coming out of your mouth with your lazy C sounds and missing Ch sounds. The other day you were working a puzzle with Corban and you said, "My turn Torban. You don't touch." If I had to write them all down I'd guess your vocabulary was into the multiple hundreds already. You've also begun to really slow down and work things out. You are learning how to cut with scissors like a pro, you can color and draw specific shapes and are beginning to figure out how to form your letters. You love watercoloring especially.
With your improving English skills you're also beginning to communicate your memories about life in Ethiopia. The other day you asked me, "Where's Askalech?" I said, "She's in Ethiopia." And you thought for a second and said, "Bekeh bye-bye, Caleb bye bye Ethiopia." I nodded my head and you thought some more and said, "Ababa no bye bye, Askalech no bye bye, Bekeh bye bye, Caleb bye bye." I nodded with each one, until this one, and then I cried. You thought for a bit more and got very quiet and said, "Bekeh bye bye, Caleb bye bye, Mommy bye bye." It was your first time to talk about your Ethiopian mother. I could tell you were continuing to think about her so I just held you and let you remember. After a few minutes you sat up and very excitedly help up two fingers and said, "Two mommies! One mommy, two mommies." The next day you told me how you and Askalech used to play, and you would jump and get water. Saturday you came into the office with me and asked to see a picture of Askalech on the computer, so I pulled them up. When we got to the picture of Me, Daddy, Brooklyn, and your Ababa and Askalech in front of your hut, you exclaimed, "Bekeh's house!" I started pointing to the people in the picture and asking who they were. You got very excited about two daddies again, and you said "Two mommy" and pointed to me. So I asked, "Where's One mommy?" You looked at the picture and got very solemn. Then slowly you pointed at the screen, and placed your finger over the door to your hut. Is she inside? I asked you. "Yes, she's tying." Why is she crying, I asked. You kept looking at the door and you said, "She's going night night, she's tying, mommy go bye bye." You didn't cry, you just slid off my lap and scurried off to play, but I sat here weeping for you. I'm sorry your "one mommy" went bye bye and you're not with her still. You've since talked about how she would feed you, play with you, and sing to you. I can't wait for you to learn more English so you can tell me more wonderful stories about your "One mommy." I want to help you remember her forever, and I want you to always know that God was sad when she died too. God wanted you to be with her all your life too, but we live in a world full of sickness and poverty. We are so loved and blessed that God redeemed you into our family. You are a sweet light in our hearts Bekelech and your "two mommy" loves you and cherishes you deeply.

Bekeh's Camera

2010-04-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

So Bekeh has discovered Brooklyn's digital camera and it's her new favorite toy. She woke up early from her nap today, and while Caleb continued his, we painted toes and fingernails and then had some photography lessons. It took awhile to coordinate finding her subject in the viewfinder, pushing the button, holding still, and not covering the flash with her precious toddler fingers, but she finally got the hang of it and WOULDN'T STOP!

Watch out Aunt Emily and Ms. Cindi, she's coming after your market niche!

I've spared you the pics of my waist or chest only, you're welcome, but she insisted her photos go on the "tumputer". You know how strongly her model hates to have her pic published, so you can begin to imagine how much she has me wrapped around her finger already!And no good artist can go without a self-portrait, we're calling this one "the contemplative one."

Easter

2010-04-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a beautiful spring day on Easter Sunday. We attended Easter services at our church on Saturday evening and then Jason's parent's church on Sunday morning. Afterward we took the kids to the park to see the ducks. Bekeh and Caleb loved chasing them off the grass and back into the water. Once Mom was satisfied that we had captured the moment on film we headed to Nana's house for lunch and Easter Egg hunting! It only took one egg for them to realize the whole point of this tradition, once opened, there was "CANY!" inside! They first wanted to stop and eat each egg til empty, but then soon realized they better hurry and get more or they'd be gone.One of our favorite traditions is dying eggs and trying to come up with creative ways to make them interesting. This year, between Bekeh drinking all the vinegar dye, and Caleb throwing the eggs across the table, we were lucky to get them out and back in the carton whole! Creativity is a luxury bygone.It's still amazing to me how quickly they catch on to being "All-American." In bed last night Bekeh told me all about her day. "Pretty dress, purple shoes, eggs! Open, and cany!" "Cany yummy." That about sums it up.

The highlight of the Easter season this year for the rest of us was by far watching, The Real Face of Jesus on The History Channel. If you have not caught this program about the Shroud of Turin, check your listings or buy it off their website. It is a must see!

Thank you Jesus for choosing to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. And praise you God the Father for sending your Holy Spirit and RAISING HIM FROM THE DEAD! He lives - and now so do I.

Daddy!

2010-03-29T15:44:00.001-07:00

I was working on photos of our trip to Ethiopia today when Bekeh woke up from her nap and walked into my office. This picture was up on the screen and she instantly exclaimed, "Daddy!"

In Cancun, Caleb was calling Jason "Ababa" which he rarely does at home, and I looked at Bekeh and said, "Ababa?" to see what she would say since she's never spoken the word herself. (I know it means Daddy, but I wanted to see what she said.) She said, "Ababa is Daddy." It was the first time for her to "translate" for me. The only other words she still says in her native tongue are ooha and shint.

I had shown her video and pictures a week or so after we returned home and she didn't seem to have any reaction at all. I even wondered if she remembered her time in the village. But today she knew her daddy and she knew Askalech and was confident enough to tell me in English who they were.

I then showed her a picture of Jason and Lapeso together and asked her who they were. She said, "Daddy, and, uh, Daddy! Two Daddies!" It was so sweet.

We then heard Caleb stirring and she began calling for him very excitedly to come look at the pictures. I put one of just Lapeso up first and he looked at it for a minute and quietly said, "Daddy." But then when I put the picture of Jason up he began jumping up and down yelling, "Daddy Daddy Daddy" and laughing. I would point to Lapeso and he would completely ignore me until I pointed to Jason and then he would get excited.

I'm glad to know they remember their first father. I wish I could seal their good memories away so they'd never lose them, and hopefully keeping pictures around the house will help them do that. I cried for a while after they scuttled off to find their sippie cups. As much as I love them to pieces, it would have been better for them to stay with their first father if he had been able. I want to do so much for their village to help make it easier for them to keep their children and not have to make the sacrificial and painful decision Lapeso was forced to make for their lives.

Thank you heavenly Daddy for working all things for our good.

Two Months Together

2010-03-19T13:31:00.001-07:00

Can it possibly have gone by so quickly? Month one was SSSSSOOOOOO LONG and month two flew by with a whistle.
So, where are we at. . . hmmm. That's a moment to moment, changing by the day answer.

Caleb

I looked up some symptoms of attachment/bonding disorder, here's what I found . . .

Cries; miserable all the time, chronically fussy (Only when others are around and mommy is trying to interact with you too - just the two of us, you're happy)
Resists comforting or nurturing (Again, if others are around, but can't get enough of me if it's just the two of us)
Resists or dislikes being held (Every ear in Mexico can attest to this, again, just with momma)
Poor eye contact or avoids eye contact (Painful screams when I even try)
Angry or rageful when cries (I swear strangers think I'm pouring acid on you or something!)
Exceedingly demanding (Well, you are two.)
Looks sad or empty-eyed (When Mommy's holding you, and others are around, and you've given up screaming)
Stiffens or becomes rigid when held (You are a strong little bugger too)
Likes to be in control (Again, you're two. But you listen to daddy, just not momma)
Does not hold on when held (no reciprocal holding) (Again, when it's the two of us I get lots of hugs, but forget it when anyone might witness it!)
When held chest to chest, faces away (You will calm down until you actually look at my face and realize who's holding you. You refuse to look at me, but Corban told me I'm pretty today, so I won't take it personally!)
Doesn't like head touched (combed, washed) (I thought surely dad combing your hair would get you to cry with him, but nope, another thing reserved for mom!)
Generally unresponsive to parent (This is hard when I'm trying to take your picture and you won't respond AT ALL when I call your name!)
Cries or rages when held beyond his wishes (Which is every time past one second when others are around!)
Overly independent play or makes no demands (Nope, you're quite demanding, for everything opposite of what I ask!)
Reaches for others to hold him rather than parent (Why does this hurt so much when I know it's not personal? This one is the killer.) (Ohh! Except at Xel-Ha this week when the waitress wanted to hold you and you grabbed my neck and said no! That was a momentary victory and I'll claim it!)
Does not return smiles (Depends on your mood)
Prefers Dad to Mom (Well, that's obvious)

So is mommy feeling hopeless? Well, I've had my moments. You and I had to walk into the jungle in Mexico and both cry it out til we couldn't breathe last week, but hopeless? No. We serve a mightier God than any situation, and there is always hope. You and I play together well, you do love me. You love to fall asleep in my arms, a sign to me that when your guard is down, you do feel safe. It's my kisses you really do covet when you're hurt, and you do show signs of jealousy when Bekeh or the other three are taking too much of my attention away from you.From all my research, things I believe the Holy Spirit has told me, and some evidence from the international pediatrician - I know you had a rough first couple of years sweet cheeks. I know you've got some trust issues with the momma's in your past, and God gave you to me because He knew we could work through them together. You can't help it Caleb, and mommy knows that it is my job to teach you how to calm your feelings, handle stress, and self regulate your emotions. You've got some catch up to do with your mental and emotional development, and we're going to get there baby, don't you worry. God is in control, and He's promised us a beautiful, healthy, bonded relationship, and we're not going to stop until we have it! This is a marathon, not a sprint and I'm actually in shape for this one.

So, other than your attachment problemo with mommy, you are the most adorable, hilarious, crack us up toddler on the block! Being all boy, you love to grunt, and make crazy noises while chasing us all around the house. You eat like a champ, love the playground, and to mommy's delight, love to do laundry! You and I could take clothes in and out of the washer and dryer all day long and you'd be happy, but mommy can only stomach so much housework at a time!!! :) You love to go tee tee in the potty, and haven't had a poopy diaper in almost two weeks!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!!! You insist on having every thing anyone else is having. When Bekeh had her blood drawn at the Doctor you kept insisting it was "Caleb's Turn!" You do this adorable little chest beat whenever you want something. The Phlebotomist, Bekeh, and Mommy all tried to warn you that you didn't want your turn so desperately, but it wasn't until the needle went in that you agreed! You're still not the greatest talker in the world. You stick with the basics that get you what you want. Mostly what we hear out of you is, "Caleb's turn" - "Mommy" - "Daddy" - "Bye" - "Eat" - "Potty" - "Yeah Caleb!" - "More" - "Shirt" - "Water" - and "No." You are so brave. All week while we went cave repelling, cave diving, Zip Lining, Sky Cycling, rock climbing and all other sorts of adventurous activities, you would tense up and shake your head "no" vehemently, but with just a little encouragement, and one brother or sister ahead of you to show you how it was done, you manned up and dove right in (or off) every time! You have no fear of water, which is good and bad. You love to be dunked and if we take too long to push you under, you will throw your own head beneath the water! Your a bundle of brownie oohey gooey goodness and we love to eat you up!

BEKEH

Bekeh at the Shower at Daddy's work, stealing suckers and designer sun glasses.

Oh girlfriend have you had a busy and exciting month! After much prayer and consideration, Daddy and I felt the Holy Spirit was encouraging us to go ahead and put you into a pre-school program. You go each morning from 8am til 11am and you absolutely love it. It's so sweet to watch you walk into school with Nathan and Corban each morning, and when Caleb and I pick you up, you are so excited to see us, and can't wait to rip open your backpack and show us what amazing things you created in class that day. You love playing with other kids your age and are learning so much from them and your wonderful teacher Mrs. Hart. We've felt you bond with us even more this past month as your confidence and communication has increased, and so we believe we have made the best decision for you and us. It's also a good chance for Caleb and I to get major one on one time in together each morning, and that's been really good for all of us too. So, what have we discovered about you this month sweet girl . . .

You love animals! Butterflies, Iguanas, Dolphins, and Fish are your favorites.
You love to read books.
You count, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, W.
You sing your ABC's and every other song you've ever heard in a new mixture of Kembataan and English.
You are putting 3 and 4 words together into complete phrases. "Mommy, Bekeh no panties shint!" Which means, Mom I made it all day without an accident in my panties!
Your newest favorite words are Butterfahly, Dolphalin, Igooawhana, Lizayd, lowcean (Ocean, or "Big Oohwah", Messito (Mexico)
You're a major trickster! You love to tease and pull practical jokes and then laugh a full belly laugh when we catch on.
You love to tattle on Caleb
Your favorite game is to say "Daddy!" and have him say "What?" and then for about 2 minutes it's, "What?" What What What back and forth. If we try and change the word or stop, you persist until we can't help but play along!

I love that you give the best hugs and kisses and when you lay down at night you first say, "Sing song!" and when we're finished it's, "Kiss!" and then "Mommy, Hug!" I don't love that you are the most stubborn 4 year old around, and how you shrug your shoulders and back away when I tell you to do something you don't want to! You throw major tantrums whenever you sense one of your siblings received anything in different proportion to you.I loved how you giggled all the way across the jungle zip line, and laughed hysterically when you rode the zip line into the underground river cenote. You were so scared going by yourself, but once you splashed down for the next 3 minutes all we heard was, "Itza fun! Itza fun! Itza fun!" You're not as big of a daredevil as Caleb, you prefer to stay safely on the edge of the action, but still in it nonetheless. Your sweet voice never stops amazing us, and we think you are the most beautiful, precious, smiley, and loving Bekeh God has ever created.

I love how Nathan still, STILL, walks around saying, "I LOVE THESE GUYS!" I love watching Brooklyn mother you two. Her heart and patience are growing every day. I love how Corban enjoys playing with you two until I notice, and then he acts like he's completly annoyed by you, but we all know he's not! And I especially love how when I ask daddy, "Hey, what should I write about Caleb's month?" he just breaks out into a huge smile, and an hour later when I pass him in the kitchen and say, "What about Bekeh" and he just instantly let's out a single laughing-snort. The thought of you guys just makes us smile, laugh, and feel happiness in a single instant.It's been two months, it's been difficult, it's been challenging, but I wouldn't ask for more. God has blessed us more abundantly than I feel worthy of. The Crazy Roots are a happy, adjusting, working it all out, giggling family of seven. Thank you Jesus.

We're Back!

2010-03-19T13:16:00.001-07:00

The Crazy Roots are far more crazy than we ever would have 'thunk areselves to possumly be.' We are safely home from our Mayan Riviera vacation south of Cancun, Mexico. We barely made it there, and we have now survived the week and actually made it home "together." Together being the operative word. . . explanation to follow! Pictures by the gazillions to come too! The chocolate kisses loved the "BiG OOHAW" and Bekeh is now in love with "Igooawnas" and "Dolaphins."

One Month Together

2010-02-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

One Month Today, wow, it's been an entire month since you have been completely and totally in our care. It doesn't seem like forever as some would say, and I'm sure it will soon, but for now, it seems like one month!

You two have come so far in that one month, and so have we. While you're down for a nap and I'm praying you remain there for a good bit today, I'll take a moment to retrace your progress!

Bekeh, you now speak non-stop. 80% in Kambaata and 20% in english-like words. You voluntarily speak the following:

Mommy
Daddy
Brooklyn (Broot-a-lyn)
Nathan (Nay-dan)
Corban (Tour-bin)
Caleb (Day-yeb)
I love you, mommy or daddy or whoever you're speaking to.
Mimi
Hello, daddy, or mommy . . .
Bye Bye daddy or . . .
Shoes (Your first word to know)
Socks
Eat
Nite-Nite
Bekeh's turn
Caleb's turn
Kitchen
Shirt
Pony
All Done
Ella & Dog (who thank goodness is finally your friend)

You also pretty much understand most everything I need you to throughout the day. Yesterday from mommy's bedroom I asked you to go get Caleb's socks, and a few minutes later you came back with them, and clean ones from his drawer no less.

You both have slept through the night from the first night we had you, and you go down so easily for naps. You both love bath time, and even showers with mom when we're in a hurry. You especially love playing outside with your brothers, and scream with joy whenever your daddy walks in the door from work. You guys are both so happy and adjusted, and we're falling more in love with you everyday.

Caleb, you still mimic every word we say, but your skills at connecting them into useful language are still developing. You can clearly voluntarily communicate the word No, more, and EAT. That's your favorite word of all, Eat! Eat! Eat! and you place your fingers up to your mouth and do the sign language with it. It's pitifully adorable. You also say mommy, daddy and Ella, but you don't yell out your siblings names or other people quite yet. You'll say anything when prompted, but we're still working on getting you to talk of your own volition. You are a two year old toot and are an exceptional actor. Anytime Bekeh is crying from hurting herself, you immediately put your hand to the same spot on your body with full out crying and tears, although I was watching you the entire time and you never hurt yourself. I'll give you a look and say "Oh stop that," and you'll instantly stop and giggle at me. Anyone who wasn't watching you would swear you were in need of emergency medical attention!

Your behavior has improved the most these past weeks. You whine 90% less, are so affectionate, and are a true delight. You and I are finally friends, and you crave my hugs and kisses all day long. It's so much easier to be your mommy when you're not screaming every time I come near!

You go tee tee in the potty every time we put you on it, but you're not ready for training yet. You have a little surgery and some work on your communication skills before we start down that road. Speaking of your surgery, we are also going to have some plastic surgery work done on your lip. Because it is exposed to the air all the time, it gets chapped and sloughs off regularly. Your upper lip is often bleeding, and I can only imagine how painful that is, although you hardly let on. Last night as I was applying lip balm to it I said, "I can't wait until after his plastic surgery so this will be better," and Nathan says, "He's having Plastic Surgery? Is he going to be white afterwards like Michael Jackson?" He was so serious and daddy and I just busted out laughing so hard. It was precious. No, you're not going to be white, you'll always be your beautiful chocolate self!

More than anyone, you mimic your sister. Every move she makes, you make too. Every kiss she gets, you have to have too. You two love each other and play together so well. Bekeh, you love to find any of Brooklyn's bags and purses and fill it with your treasures throughout the day. You also, in keeping with your heritage, love to wear scarves. Caleb, not to be left out, you grab whatever you can find, normally it's a dirty tshirt and a plastic grocery bag, but today you found a bag of your own and a pillowcase to fit the bill.

You guys are so adorable and we've had a fun filled, exhausting, emotional, and amazing journey this last month. To many more to come, thank you Lord.

I Heart Tabasco!

2010-02-19T10:43:00.001-08:00

Actually, I loathe you and the way you make my food taste, but my daughter thinks you're a little bottle of magic. Whenever my cooking doesn't suit her liking, or our American fare, especially veggies, does not make her taste buds zing, I sprinkle your magic potion over her plate and her eyes light up and the food begins it's vanishing act. Do not feel left out you cousins named Buffalo Sauce and Salsa, you work your miracle powers over her as well. God Bless you McIlhenny Co, and your precious nasty pepper sauce.

The Golden Arches

2010-02-17T16:47:00.000-08:00

Perhaps I have gone a little crazy, because it seemed like a great idea to get out of the house for a bit today and go to McDonald's for your first time. Thank goodness they had Buffalo dipping sauce, you're still not a fan of ketchup. But Caleb, unlike your sister, you prefer the sweeter over the hot, and preferred dipping everything in the caramel sauce.
The Chicken Nuggets, and the cheeseburger were both hits, and we had our first McD's meltdown when you couldn't have your toy before you were finished with your lunch. Don't worry, Mommy's seen it before, I knew what to do, we survived. The room was filled with other busy two and three year olds, and you guys were captivated by how much they ran and played. You were both anxious to be "all done" so you could get down and see what was so fun about that plastic playground. Caleb, your poor little legs are so short you couldn't make the climb all the way up, but you were cool with hanging out and banging on the glass. You would giggle as the kids came screaming by you on their many rounds of going up and down the slide. Bekeh, it took you awhile, but you finally watched the other girls long enough to maneuver your way to the third story entrance to the slide. You got yourself sat down at the start, and immediately the extreme whining began. Mommy did her best to assure you from my spot way down below that it was fun, but you weren't believing me. I'd like to say you finally trusted me, but I think it was the sassy girl behind you that said, "Go already!" and perhaps gave you a little (or big) nudge, that finally got you started. I ran to meet you at the bottom and the smile on your face and the beaming pride were priceless! "You did it!" I screamed and you jumped up and down so thrilled and excited and ran to give me the biggest hug! After 30 minutes of watching you scale the heights and whirl down the slide I was ready to go, and like all toddlers at the end of their MickeyD's adventures, you weren't ready to go. But once again, mom's handled this before and we made it out the door with all our shoes, coats, purse, and camera. Mom hasn't lost her touch. I can still carry two melting down, screaming, toddlers out the door and to the car without melting down myself, and get a picture of it to blog about too!

Welcome to American Toddlerhood babies! I'd say you're getting it down just fine!

SNOW!

2010-02-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

Bekeh and Caleb loved the frozen wo'á! It took a little convincing but I finally was able to assure them it was wo'á (pronounced oohwah, Kambaata for water) and they took a big taste!Bekeh loved chasing the dog around the back yard and throwing the snow up in the air, whereas Caleb preferred to stand in one spot and observe, touch, and catch the falling snow in his hands. I left them gloveless so they could experience all the new sensations, so it was a fairly short visit outside.Bekeh took her first face plant, and cried for a few seconds until mommy laughed so hard it made her realize she wasn't really upset, and decided to frolick along after Ella some more.
We can't wait for Brooklyn, Nathan, and Corban to get home so they can play with us! How's it going you ask since all of my posts lately have been about my sweet friend Jenny, who is being taken off the ventilator this morning, so please pray.
It's going, OK. And that's the best you're going to get out of me if you want honesty!! Things are most difficult for me with Caleb, although Jason would say Caleb's easiest and Bekelech is the difficult one. So it's all good and fair! :)
For me, the one who is home by myself all day with them, Caleb is having the hardest time. He chooses often to completely dislike me. He isn't at all aggressive with his disdain, he simply screams and whines whenever I'm around or holding him.

GO SAINTS!

Nonetheless, we have plenty of giggly and smiley moments, so no one worry about us, it's just extremely challenging and I'm having to work really hard at unconditional love. It's difficult to love some little person who acts like you're the last person alive they want to be around! But, I assure you it's all temporary and we're getting through it with all the prayer and resources we need. But you can pray for us.
Bekeh is truly blossoming for me. She sings like a lark in her Kambaata, and is now picking up and singing songs I make them endure all day long to their delight!

ON WISCONSIN!

On Tuesday we finally got her to begin answering questions. It was a huge accomplishment. The conversations usually went (with a ton of pointing and motioning accompaniment,)
Mommy: "What is your name?"
Bekeh: "What is your name?"
Mommy: "No, say Bekeh"
Bekeh: "No, say Bekeh"
Mommy: "My name is mommy"
Bekeh: "My name is mommy"
Mommy: "Your name is Bekeh"
Bekeh: "djsaklf djsakl Bekeh"
Mommy: "What is her name? (Pointing at Brooklyn)
Bekeh: "Wha jda ds name?"
AND THEN TUESDAY THE BREAKTHROUGH!
Mommy: "What is my name?"
Bekeh: "Mommy"
Mommy: "What is your name?"
Bekeh: "Bekeh"
and on around the house she named them all!!!!

And YESTERDAY!!! Whoo hooo!!! Brooklyn and I worked very hard on this all day, practicing by showing her over and over going back and forth and finally!
Mommy: "I love you Bekeh"
Bekeh: "I love you Bekeh"
Mommy: "I love you Bekeh"
Bekeh: "I love you B. . . (pause) . . . Mommy!"
Connection MADE!!! She still gets Corban and Nathan mixed up, but who doesn't, she probably learned that from listening to me too!! :) So she'll answer questions rather than repeating them, and she's beginning to ask for things she needs, and tells me when she's done going potty rather than waiting for me to ask over and over.
PROGRESS! Nathan is the most excited to come home and play with them every day after school. He says over and over and over, "I'm so glad we got them, they're the best." "I'm so glad we got THESE kids, they are so cool." "Bekeh and Caleb are the best, I'm so glad we got to bring THEM home." He seems to believe every other kid available in Ethiopia would be dull and boring! No offense, they're all precious, but he's takin a likin to these two in particular.

They are happy kids and we do have a lot of great moments in the day, mommy is still having a difficult time letting go of my old freedoms, but we're all making adjustments and loving our new crazy life!

And the winner was. . .

2010-02-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

Amber Booy!

Click her name above to view her blog and follow along on her adoption journey through Ethiopia and China consecutively!

It was Rhubarb pie ladies and gentlemen! It was cold and had a stringy texture. I'm sure many love it, but we were not fans. The cinnamon chocolates, cheese and wines were delicious though!

Amber will be receiving a beautiful Ethiopian made scarf in the mail very soon. Thanks to all who made guesses, they were creative!!

Numbers Don't Lie

2010-02-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

1 - A singular desire to be obedient to the Lord
2 - semi-sweet chocolate children He added to our family
5 - Amazing children that I love and that plain wear me out.
21 - The number of plates I put in the dishwasher everyday.
18 - The number of cups I wash everyday. Why can my older kids not reuse them?
4 - The number of adorable 2T panties I rinse out each day from the Augmentin toots.
0 - The number of panties I will rinse today! The words "Sc**W it!" escaped my lips and the Pull Ups came out. Forgive me Lord.
1 - the number of times I've hid out in the bathroom today with my laptop. This momma needs to blog and surf! (Don't call my social worker, Elida is out there)
2 - Loads of Laundry per day. 6 on Wednesdays.
88 blissful chocolate and vanilla kisses a day.
44 earth shattering screams a day when the dog stretches, moves, sleeps, or breathes in their vicinity.
2 hours a day Caleb naps so I can recover my sanity.
30 minutes a day Bekeh naps so I can get one thing done.
999 times a day I wish I spoke Kembataan so I could record their conversations to each other.
789 - times a day I shout "No!"
2 - the number of times they act like they understand the word "no" and yet trust me, they understand.
896 times a day I have to speak truth out loud to overcome the lies in my spirit, "You are a good mom, there are seeds in the barn, You are a good mom there are seeds in the barn, You are a good mom there are seeds in the barn, you are a good mom, there are seeds in the barn." Thanks Haggai for reminding us.
942 giggles, laughs, songs, and dances performed daily by all seven Crazy Roots.
1,678 the number of times a day I question why I ever thought bringing two Ethiopian kids to live with us and be our children was a doable and workable idea.
1,677 the number of times I realize I love my life and wouldn't want it any other way.
1,679 the number of times a day God assures me that my life is exactly in the middle of His will for my family, and it's all good.

our FIRST week

2010-01-31T19:18:00.000-08:00

I don't seem to have enough time in the day to get on here and document our journey like I would love to. I will soon. Here's a quick look at our first week in pictures.

Bekeh and Caleb's first step on American Soil First Bath time at home. Bekeh sang loudly in Kembataan and would splash Dereje and giggle, and then he would begin speaking Kembataan back to her. It was our first chance to hear them babbling back and forth in their native tongue.

First time to meet Great Grandma, or Gigi! They thought her wrinkly skin was cool. They'll get to meet their other Great Grandma this July when she comes down from Wisconsin. They can't wait!

I've made Bekeh a fashionista already. She especially loves all of her shoes and accessories. Every girl should have a pair of calf-high purple patent boots! Can I get an Amen?

Mimi's not afraid to be silly, and Bekeh has taken to her quickly because she loves to sing and dance around the living room with her. Mimi had her speaking and talking English back and forth all morning.
Later that day Nana came out and brought their cousin Carson to play. They love babies. Good thing, we've got several in the family! Mommy's the worst daughter in law, because Nana, Grandpa, Uncle David, Aunt Becky, and Uncle Kevin have all been out to meet them, and I don't have a picture of it anywhere! We'll fix that next time.
Papa, Grammy, and Aunt Kelly came out bearing gifts. Their first experience with opening presents. They caught on quickly. They loved their little people farm, giant my little pony, leap frog dogs, and blankets. Thanks guys! They were in need of some toys!
After dinner tonight, Brooklyn and Bekeh disappeared for awhile, and came out later all dressed up. Bekeh loved playing Fairy Princess dress up with her big sister. Brooklyn has been an absolute dream this first week home. Despite being exhausted and sick, she's gotten up with them in the middle of the night, in the mornings, and taken charge throughout the day without ever letting me know they needed something! I've had to assure her she doesn't have to do so much, but she doesn't seem to mind, for now.

Bekeh and Caleb sleep well at night as long as they can touch each other. Anytime she pulls away to turn over or reposition, he seeks out her arm or leg or whatever is close, and grabs hold again. He loves his sissy! More to follow at some point, I promise, but for now, Jason's calling me out of the office! The kids are all asleep and we're not, it's a rare moment this week! Gotta Go!

We're Home!

2010-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

We survived the long trek home and were greeted by a large host of our friends and family. It was wonderful to be back among loved ones. The best was seeing my boys again though! I missed them so much. And finally being together as a family of SEVEN! Priceless! The tears were holding back until I saw my sister in law Amy. It's been a long journey together on this adoption road throughout the year. It was like seeing the one person in the world who actually knows what you're feeling at that exact moment, and knowing how they are feeling too. Thank You God for putting us on this path together. I couldn't have made it without her, atleast I'm glad I didn't have to. Thank you Dear friends and family for welcoming us home! It wouldn't have been the same without each and everyone of you who were there!!!!

Mom and Bill (Mimi and Hobby)
Dad, Linda, Kelly and your friend (Grammy and Papa)
Ruth and David (Nana)
Brian, Amy, Emily, Natalie, Ridgedon, Adiah and Rhett
Emily Melson and Julie Newman
Debra, Brian, Madison, Peyton, and Brianne Morel
Kristi, Ricky, Josie, Lauren, and Merrit Lee
Sarah and Christian Schultz
Jennifer and Jordan Tarbett
Susie and Madeline Grant
Cindi, Matt, Madison, Abby and Max Koceich

We barely made it home without falling asleep and enjoyed takeout Mexican Food and homeade chocolate chip cookies, (thanks mom!) Apparently Jason and I fell asleep around 8:30pm, and when we woke up several hours later Brooklyn had changed everyone into pj's, and sung them to sleep, never trying to wake us or get our help. How did I get the best daughter on the planet? It's Sunday now, and we've had a great morning listening to the kids all play together. Until the newness wears off, the boys are enchanted with their new siblings and I'm hardly having to do anything!
Love yall, don't stop the prayers!

In the Air on our way!

2010-01-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

I was having such withdrawals from blogging and checking email that Jason agreed to pay for in flight wifi so I could get on! He's such as sweetheart! The 17 hour flight went really well all things considered. The kids slept for a good 8 hours and then Jason was the trooper with Dereje the second half of the flight keeping a two year old occupied in his little seat. We are on our flight to Atlanta and looking forward to seeing all of our friends and family at baggage claim E14 at 4:40pm!
We're almost home Nathan and Corban! I can't wait to see you! I miss you desperately!

On their way!!

2010-01-22T12:32:00.001-08:00

This is Emily again just letting you all know that the newly expanded Root family is in the air and on their way home!

If all goes according to schedule they should arrive into DFW at 4:40pm Saturday, January 23rd on Delta flight 1923 from Atlanta. Right now they are scheduled to be coming in to gate/baggage claim E14. This could change, so, make sure you check it before you arrive at the airport.

Praise God for bringing them this far already and let's pray them on home!!

**ETA: Carol checked their flight info leaving Ethiopia and their flight has been delayed until 3:30am Ethiopian time (6:30pm our time), however they had a 6 hour lay-over at WASH/DULLES so now it will just be 3, allowing them to HOPEFULLY still arrive on time at DFW!

Embassy Appointments

2010-01-20T06:02:00.000-08:00

From Jason's Facebook page: "passed successfully through the American Embassy so we will be getting their Visas on Friday and coming home on time!!!!!"

We were 10 for 10 today at the Embassy. All 10 families passed the lady at the window and will be receiving their visas! Praise God!

After our long morning of waiting in line at the Embassy we headed over to lunch at the Lucy, we ate there our first meal in Addis, but does that seem like forever ago, whew!

Afterward we took them shopping with us in town, and bought a few things for them and for our loved ones back at home. By the end of the day we were all exhausted and ready to get home and chill.

Back in the room Caleb once again found the bubbles and tried so hard to blow them himself. But as you can see, he wound up spitting all over the place rather than blowing air!!

Gotcha Day!

2010-01-19T23:11:00.000-08:00

Today was the day we've been working all year towards. They are in our care, our kids from now on and forever. We had such a wonderful time giving out care packages to five families who are waiting to come to Ethiopia and bring home their children. I cried especially over the precious babies whose moms I've gotten to know well here in Fort Worth.
Once again when it was time to leave, and the nannies came out to this time say Good-bye to the kids, Bekelech's silent tears began rolling. But then, Jason picked her up and turned to walk to the gate, away from the transistion home. She immediately broke out into the biggest smile. She knew that she knew that she knew she was leaving with us. You are an orphan no longer sweet baby girl, you are our daughter.
This is one of the kids favorite nannies and when they see this picture they get very excited and scream out her name. She stopped us to let us know that Bekelech loves to sing, we can't wait to hear her sweet voice.
As soon as we got back to the guest house it was time to play with our new toys and to grab dinner. They immediately recognized all the duplicates of the toys we had sent in their care packages. Bekelech plopped that My Little Pony between her legs and began braiding its mane! Caleb grabbed his Elmo car, a favorite obviously and began driving it all around the room. He loves cars!!!! We then began the long process of bathing them for the first time. They absolutely loved the water and laughed and giggled the entire time. We had to change the bath water repeatedly, they were dirty little boogers. The Transistion Home does an amazing job of keeping them clean, but Addis is a dirty city and we were all filthy by the end of each day!
They both fell asleep quickly without much of a peep, it was an easier day than I was expecting, but I'm sure the challenges will increase in the days to come! Thank you Lord for this blessing!

Update!

2010-01-19T13:10:00.001-08:00

This is Gina's friend, Emily. I just wanted to log in to let you know that Gina is having trouble getting blog posts up or email out which is why she hasn't updated the blog.

If you aren't on Facebook her latest update just about an hour ago was:

"We have them! They are sleeping upstairs with Jason and Brooklyn and the evening could not have been more perfect! They are happy and so far - adjusting superbly! We're having so much fun!"

Just wanted you to know that Gina hasn't forgotten about her loyal family, friends and prayer partners. Keep those prayers coming as they finish up their time in Ethiopia and travel HOME!

Emily

Meetcha Day!

2010-01-18T14:56:00.001-08:00

We met our beautiful, smiley, adorable, and precious Ethiopian babies today! The Transistion Home staff calls out your family name, you come to the bottom of the steps and they bring your children out the door to your waiting arms. We were #5 in line, thankful our last name wasn't Vowels, (wink wink Mark and Shannon). Waiting there is a crazy mix of emotion, and then suddenly it happens, they're there! From the moment they saw us from the top of the steps they were already smiling and reaching for us! We went off to a place in the garden to play with them and couldn't believe they were in our arms. Brooklyn especially could not stop crying. Even while blowing bubbles, squishing playdough, tickling them, and chasing them around the yard, the tears were streaming down her sweet cheeks. We were all just giggling and laughing through them!

We first pulled out the exact fruit snacks we had sent in all of our care packages and immediately they recognized them and their faces lit up! Next came the bubbles and Bekelech was absolutely precious with them. It is obvious that she is extremely independent. She watched Brooklyn blow them for awhile and then took the bubbles from her, grabbed the stick, and attempted to make it happen. Jason had to mimick blowing for her a couple of times, and she had it down. She was so proud of herself.

Dereje is full of energy! He loved the playdough especially! After only one time of telling him not to eat it and showing him how to squish and roll it in his palms he was set too! He was making snakes, opening the cans and putting it back in, and taking it out again like a pro!
They were great at throwing, catching, and kicking the ball. By the end we could even say, "Throw it to Daddy!" or "Throw it to Brooklyn" and they would sail it in the right direction. At one point, one of the nannies brought out the photo album book we had sent them, and again they lit up with delight. They began pointing at the pictures and saying "Mommy" and "Daddy." Bekelech first pointed at the cover and said, "Dereje." After a few prompts we would point to the pictures of us and motion, "Who's that?" and they would look up at either Jason, Brooklyn, or I correctly. I grabbed Bekelech by the cheeks at one point and very slowly said, "I Love You," and she looked at me for a second, and very quietly whispered back, "I love you." I screamed outloud I was so excited!!!
We wore them out chasing them around the yard playing, and at the end of our time Dereje began yawning and swaying a bit. I picked him up and began to sing to him the lullaby my mom had sung to me, and that I had sung to all my three children before, and within a minute he was sleeping in my arms. Amazing and precious! At that point, Jason was holding Bekelech, and noticed she had two big tears streaming down her face, our first sadness. She was watching the other parents take their kids back to the nannies, and knew it was time for us to leave. We thought it would be easier for Brooklyn to walk her back inside, but she pulled away and held onto Jason. Exactly what we want to see!!! Thankfully Dereje was asleep when I handed him off, so I only had to cry over one heartbroken child. Tomorrow sweet Bekeh! Tomorrow you can come with us forever, and I can brush your teeth and bathe your sweet body, and put you in cozy pajamas for the night.
We were all emotionally exhausted following, but we were in for a treat later that night! We attended a Traditional Ethiopian dinner and dance show. It was the most incredible, amazing, unbelievable moving I have ever seen. At one point a woman swings her head around so fast you literally can not see her face or hands anymore. It's was EXACTLY like in a cartoon where it simply becomes a blur. We all had our mouths gaped wide open. It didn't even seem humanly or biologically possible. It was one of the most entertaining 3 hours I have ever sat through. Brooklyn even tried a bit of the injera and beef!

It has been a perfect day, and it's well into the morning now, and we simply can't wait to go back and get our kids. Although, now that I think about it, that three hours was exhausting! Toddlers! Again! Whew, I'm in for it!

Day 3 - Meeting the Birth Family

2010-01-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

The children, most likely cousins of Bekeh and Caleb, were beautiful, happy, and so loving. I know that our kids village believes in God, and Jesus Christ. I know He is looking after them. Everything else broke my heart. To see the tiny hut our children were born into, to see the saddness on their father's face as he explained that it was because of his "beloved wife's death" that he could not care for them. That to keep them with him, "was to kill them with his poverty." He told us he had nothing in this world except his children and so he had to give them to us and to God. Our day traveling to meet Lapresso, their ET father and Askelech their 9 year old sister, was, life changing. Brooklyn broke down sobbing when we got back in the van to leave. We were all changed by the poverty, by the conditions, and by the love and joy that grew in the midst of it all.

They had not seen the kids in many months, and as soon as we brought out pictures the entire village began laughing, smiling, and of course kissing their pictures.

God chose this man to be our children's first father. He will be loved and respected, talked about and honored in our home for the rest of Bekeh and Caleb's life. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that they could have life. Thank you Father for teaching us how to do the impossible.

Saturday in Addis

2010-01-16T05:07:00.000-08:00

We slept in today, the restless overnight flight and the altitude were enough to exhaust us Friday. Jason came down for breakfast and the ladies let him know that Brooklyn was invited to a Birthday party in the lobby at 2pm. Time is relevant here, so at about 2:45 the girls started arriving, and Brooklyn joined in. Within minutes they were all laughing and giggling together. Girls are girls, no matter what culutre. They danced to Taylor Swift songs, and chased each other around the courtyard. The girls all attend a British School here in Addis so they spoke beautiful english. After the cake and ice cream the girls really began to warm up to Jason, as they always do. Within a few minutes they were all laughing and begging him to do silly dances, which of course he obliged! They tried teaching him traditional ethiopian moves, and only afterward told him he was doing the women's dances! They were all enthralled with Brooklyn, and trying to keep her attention. One little girl told the others her "best friends were all lame and Brooklyn was her new BFF." Some things are universal! All the girls were so sweet and funny. They were all cracking wise jokes and making hilarious statements to get us to laugh. They left, after each one gave us all hugs and kisses, and it was time for us to sit down for dinner.

We had spaghetti and tomato sauce here at the Yesabi Guest House, delicious but spicey spicey spicey! It was a wonderful relaxing day. We're looking forward to going up to our room and hopefully skyping with the boys before sleeping in our very comfortable beds.

We'll leave here at 6:30 am for Hossana, which is approximately 9:30 pm in Texas. Pray for us before you go to bed, and if the Holy Spirit wakes you up in the night, pray for us some more. Tomorrow is one of the most important tasks we have to complete and I want to have the Holy Spirit guiding us in our questions, and softening their hearts to answer us without reservation.

We love y'all!

We're in Addis!

2010-01-15T03:52:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Addis at 7:45 am and then took a couple of hours to get our visa and get through the passport lines! But T met us in the lobby and we were out the door and on our way into the city in no time! It was culture shock in the parking lot immediately. The poor that lined the streets and sat near their makeshift homes was heartbreaking. We stalled in the road a couple of times to wait for bull or donkeys to get out of the way, and watched the scenes passing around us.

We arrived at the hotel and dumped our things, changed shoes and headed out to the National Museum with two other families who had arrived. We saw the home of Lucy, the 2nd oldest human fossil believed to be discovered, as well as other rich artifacts which told us more of the history and culture of this beautiful nation. After a quick tour of the Lion Zoo we had a wonderful lunch at the Lucy Restaurant. We watched in amazement as T and D finished off a huge plate of injera and meat in what seemed like 30 seconds flat!

We then headed to the top of a near by mountain to view the ruins of an ancient church. The trip up the mountain was incredible, the road was not a road, and I assure you in America we would have requested an ATV to take us up the path our minivan took!

After climbing through the mountain and taking in a panoramic view of Addis we returned and had dinner at the Zebra Grill. We obviously need some recommendations from the BTDT's on the YG, because we ALL ordered horribly. Do not eat the steak, the fish, or the hamburger when you travel here my friends! :)

We can't believe we're here, so close to our kids, and enjoying this beautiful people. There seemed to be some problems with arranging to meet our birthfamily, but T seems to think he has it worked out and we will be going on a one day trip on Sunday, rather than a 2 day trip Friday and Saturday. It will be 10 hours in a car, and with the roads they are here, that's saying a lot! But, whatever we have to do to meet them, we're willing! Pray for that journey to be safe and successful. We will leave here at 6:30am Sunday, ET time, and travel, meet and return in the same day.

We love you Nathan and Corban! Sorry you forgot your computer at Nana's but we hope we get to Skype with you soon! It was good to talk to with you, and we hope Grandpa has some more chores to keep you busy! We love you!!!!

2010-01-14T03:03:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful time our last day in Paris.We took in the 360 degree of Paris on top of Tour Montparnasse. It was breathtaking to see every corner of the city from one vantage point. We enjoyed a beautiful Italian lunch and then headed to The Louvre. We saw The Lady herself, and toured the ancient artifacts until Brooklyn was tired. We then took our time walking back to our hotel through the heart of the city. We enjoyed grabbing sweets at the sidewalk cafes and taking in the last of the sites. Apparently we cut it a little close though, because between the traffic and our driver taking us to the wrong terminal initially, we only had 5 minutes to check our bags for international travel! But we giggled and laughed all the way down the gangway, we were finally on our way to AFRICA!!!!

Hello from London, England!

2010-01-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today we woke Brooklyn up at 5 am and boarded the Eurostar train to London. She wasn't aware of where we were headed until the Taxi cab driver spilled the beans! She was super thrilled! We began the day walking through the falling snow in Green Park which leads to Buckingham Palace. Following a quick tour through the Queens Gallery, and watching the stoic guards, we headed off.
From Buckingham Palace, we meandered through St. James' Park, it was picturesque and breathtaking. The birds, the animals, the snow. It was perfect.
The park trail finishes at Westminster Abbey which was a highlight of our day. We were in awe of the many centuries of sculptures, tombs, and attempts at reverence to God by the English people.
In the Ladies Chapel, a site of many royal services, Brooklyn befriended one of the royal caretakers. After the prayer time he said, "Follow me." He led her beyond the velvet ropes and told her to sit in this chair. He then instructed me to take out my camera, a ROYAL NO NO in the Abbey, and take a picture of her. When we were done, he said, "Now, Go home and show your family that picture, and tell them you had the rare privilege of sitting in the Queen's chair." She was so excited!
From the Abbey it was time to catch a Red Double Decker bus over to Drury Lane for our musical, Oliver! It was fantastic to see a British play with actors with authentic British accents, and especially one about the plight of orphans! It was a fantastic production. By the time we exited the play it was getting dark out, but that didn't stop us from visiting Parliament Square and Big Ben. We then hopped on the Tube and rode it to the Tower of London and The London Bridge. It was a packed in day of enjoying Fish and Chips, the theater, the royal homes, and an amazing country. We all enjoyed the train ride home where we had first class tickets. The wine was amazing, and so was the three course dinner we ate while we were transported back to Paris. Jason and I were a little stumped by what they served us. We've decided to have a blog contest to see if anyone else knows. First person who comments and correctly guesses what this red portion is, will win an exclusive gift from Ethiopia, mailed to you when we return. And yes, Brooklyn did try it.
Up at 5am, and it's now 2am, so it's been a long long day. We have to re-pack in the morning, catch a bit of The Louve, and then we head to the airport and on to Ethiopia tomorrow night! Our next post will most likely be from Ethiopia on Saturday or Sunday, so for now, Cheerio!

Bonjour from Paris!

2010-01-12T14:25:00.000-08:00

We are having a fabulous time in Paris! We've climbed ALL THE STAIRS to the top of the Tour Eifel, and all the stairs to the top of Sacre Coeur! We've purchased original art at Montmartre and stood in awe at Notre Dame. We've eaten fabulous crepes, and had amazing wine! We've laughed, we've walked, we've felt blessed to be in one of God's most beautiful cities, and we've loved every minute of doing it together! Brooklyn is being such a perfect traveler!

We did have to cover her eyes while we walked through the Red Light District and visited Moulin Rouge. Of all things and words to put in English! :)

We enjoyed meeting up with two of our AWAA ET Travel Buddies this afternoon for lunch. They toured Notre Dame with us and we talked about our kids in ET and all the crazy feelings we're having!! It was wonderful.

We were able to talk to the boys by Skype tonight, Corban was home all day throwing up, so it was good to see him and tell him I love him. And my wonderful Nathan was such a funny ham, he made it easy to go to bed knowing they're doing good.

It's suppose to snow and be crazy winter weather where we're going tomorrow, which is a surprise for Brooklyn! Pray with us that it doesn't interfere with our tours!

We love you all!

Bekeh and Caleb, we're getting closer to you!!! One more plane ride and we're there!!

Goodnight! Merci!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

2010-01-10T01:11:00.001-08:00

It's finally here. After many ups and downs, many trials and joys and victories, it is finally time to travel. I thought I'd post our schedule here so that you could follow along with us on the trip of a lifetime.

SUNDAY JANUARY 10th

Leave DFW fly to PARIS

MONDAY JAN 11th - THURSDAY JAN 14th

Enjoy Paris, and an extra special excursion surprise for Brooklyn on Wednesday.

FRIDAY, JAN 15th

Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Travel to Hossanna to meet with the birth family Friday and Saturday

SUNDAY JAN 17th

All the families are due to arrive and officially begin the week.

MONDAY JAN 18th

MEETCHA DAY! We'll have our kids in our arms for a few hours!

TUESDAY JAN 19th

GOTCHA DAY! We'll return to the Transition Home to deliver the care packages for other families in process, and tour where our children have been living. We'll then take the kids back to the hotel with us and they are in our care from that point on!!

WEDNESDAY JAN 20th

EMBASSY APPOINTMENTS. The great hiccup if there is to be one. Pray this appointment is non-eventful! VERY NON EVENTFUL!

THURSDAY JAN 21st

Waiting on paperwork from the Embassy. Shopping, sightseeing, getting to know the kiddos.

FRIDAY JAN 22nd

Paperwork arrives, fly out of Addis at 10pm

SATURDAY JAN 23rd

27.5 hours later - Arrive at DFW airport at 4:40pm Baggage Claim/Terminal E14

The boys are having a rough day getting ready for Mom, Dad, and Big Sis to leave for two weeks, but they're excited to stay in their own beds, avoid the long plane rides, and have the attention of grandparents galore!

The dog and cat are being taken care of by the same generous parents of ours, the laundry is done, the luggage is mostly packed, and it's only 3:32 in the morning. I've got loads of time to spare!

Mind the time difference, but feel free to search us out on skype! We'll attempt to blog from Africa, but there's no guarantees with the power situation!! We love you all! Pray God's provision and protection over our journey!

It's HERE!!!!!!!!!!! Bekeh! Caleb! We're coming babies! Hold on just one more week! We're on our way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Bekeh & Caleb!!

2010-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

MELKHAM GENNA!

Because Ethiopia follows the Julian rather than the Gregorian calendar, the Ethiopian people celebrate Christmas on January 7th. So today is Christmas in Ethiopia!

Bekeh, we opened a few of the presents you received for Christmas and you're going to have so much fun enjoying the blankets, dolls, and other goodies! We hope you've had a wonderful day in the Transition Home celebrating Jesus' birth. I know several of our friends were with you to celebrate today, and I hope you're enjoying the little toys we sent you. We get to start our travel toward you in just 3 days! We're so excited and even with the craziness of packing and getting the house ready, we haven't forgotten that you're the reason for all of it! I can't wait to hold you, kiss your cheeks, rub your legs, comb your hair. It's going to take awhile for you to get used to all the attention you're going to get!!! Merry Christmas baby girl!

Caleb, little dude! Your room is stocked up with toys for you to explore, and your Christmas stockings were overflowing with love and goodies for you! We went to the airport last night and welcomed home your cousin Rhett. He's just your size and age, and you two are going to be life long friends. I can't believe you'll be in my arms in just 11 days! What a blessing! I can only imagine what a little toot you're going to be, and I'm hoping I have the energy to keep up with you, I hear from your nannies that you are a wild boy! Daddy, Brooklyn, and I can't wait to play with you, you're going to get tickled to death little man!! I hope you are loving the little Elmo toys we sent you this week, and just hold on a bit longer, we're almost there! We love you!

We're Gettin Ready!!!

2010-01-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

One week! One week is all we have left to get ready! One week to get everything done!

It's been a challenging week, my brother Brian returned to the States expectantly from his trip in China for his second adoption. We've spent time at the hospital with him, he's had two surgeries for an infection in his hip. We've spent so much time praying and worrying about Amy being in China alone, that I've not been able to get my head around leaving the country. But, her sister arrived in China today to help her with Rhett, Brian seems to be doing better after his surgery this morning, Amy sounded so much more at peace on the phone this evening, so I'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO PREPARING FOR BEKEH AND CALEB!

Today we finished getting the beds put together. We've got a triple bed in the boys room, and a bunk bed in the girls room now. It seems surreal. They opted for Camo Swankie Blankie's in the boys room, and Zebra Swankie Blankie's for the girls over any other bedding we looked at. My kids demand luxury let me tell you! They've all got new mattresses and Tempurpedic pillows for Christmas, so I think we're set.

Brooklyn and I also finished going through the boxes of donated clothes, and the bags of clothes I've purchased the last few months and hanging things up in their closets and putting tiny shoes and underwear away. I've spoken to the lady the hair salon and purchased the products I believe I need for their hair, we've packed up their toys for our journey, along with the diapers I almost had a heart attack purchasing. Me! Buying diapers again! Who'd of thunk it.

So they have warm beds to snuggle into at night, clean clothes that match and fit to wear, and a God who's preparing their transition into our family to be beautiful and wonderful. We're almost set, now if I can just finish packing all of our clothes and things for the trip!

One week! I have a whole week, piece of cake!

Thank you Alldrin Family!

2009-12-28T19:38:00.001-08:00

The Alldrin Family just returned from Ethiopia where they were united with their three newest children, and they also brought back new images of our kiddos!!!
Your kids are darling! Your little guy was very funny. They brought him over and I read the book to him. After I handed him the book, he decided that our appointment was over and took off down the step (which was bigger than he was) and across the alley to his nanny. Your little girl is oh, SO cute! She loved the pony. She was pretty serious until I started tickling her. That is when I got the big smiles. She is sweet! They are very small. I would put them at 18 months and 3 years old in size if I had to guess. I can't wait for you to go get them! -KristinIt's so wonderful to see them growing and their sweet curly hair growing in! We are so thankful for these peeks at them from our traveling friends so we don't feel like we're missing out on quite as much until we can go get them! 13 days and we leave! 21 days and they'll be in our arms!!!! Thank you Jesus!

God is perfect and all His ways are Perfect!

2009-12-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy the last couple of days, but still in the back of my mind just a bit upset that we weren't on the other side of the world right now preparing to pick up Bekeh and Dereje. But, God in His amazing wonderful ways sent me an email through a travel buddy this morning that clarified so much. I understand a portion of His timing, I understand that it's not always all about me, shock!, and I understand that our Heavenly Daddy loves us so much He doesn't leave anything open. He completes and provides closure and healing to every part of our life when we let Him. Thank You Lord for your perfection. Thank you for YOUR WILL and your timing winning out over my short sided desires. I can't wait for all the blessings you have planned for this trip, and I can't wait to hold Bekelech and Dereje and love on them, and pray over them, and put lotion on their sweet hands, and moisturizer in their hair!!! AAHHHWWWW!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!

Travel Dates Confirmed

2009-12-18T18:32:00.000-08:00

Our dates have been changed and set for January 9th - January 22nd. It will be a much greater challenge to find care for the boys, Brooklyn will miss finals, and two weeks of school instead of one, but God is sovereign, knows better than I, and His ways and timing are perfect. Bekeh and Caleb will not be affected any differently, I will have two extra weeks to prepare for their arrival, and I'm sure whatever God's reason for having us change and pay the fine for changing our tickets, is serious and important enough to not be questioned by me. We look forward to all the families we will travel with on the 15th, and simply can not wait to go bring home our children.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 Thank you Lord for allowing your Will to win over my earthly vision and desires.

They are CRAZY ROOTS!!!!!!!

2009-12-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

AWAA has called, and we're thrilled to announce that Bekelech and Dereje are legally, officially, formally, and forever more. . . CRAZY ROOTS!!!!!!!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!! HE HAS BLESSED US SO ABUNDANTLY!!!!
Welcome to our family Bekelech Eva Root

and we will call you Bekeh - pronounced "Becca" . . . and Welcome Caleb Wesley Dereje Root

you're going to love it here!!! It's always a blast!!

We Did Not Pass

2009-12-01T09:27:00.001-08:00

The guy who was signing off on our MOWA letter went out of town and took his keys to the files with him so no one else could access them. Hopefully the judge can squeeze us in on the 8th and we'll pass then.

BUT ON OTHER NEWS!!!!! AWAA CHINA called my brother and sister in law with their TA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are rejoicing that the Lord answered our prayers and brought them this news today!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited to bring Rhett home finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We serve an awesome God who is in control of everything. Our adoption timing is perfect according to the Lord's will and this delay neither surprised Him or changed the timeline we've been on all along. We are heartbroken that it delays our travel though. We were hopeful Brooklyn wouldn't have to miss as much school if we could have traveled in the Jan 2 group, but again, God's timing, not ours, thankfully.

Waiting, waiting, waiting. . . .

2009-12-01T06:15:00.001-08:00

Waiting for the phone to ring, everytime it does my heart goes crazy. Waiting for the time when it's AWAA. Waiting to honor God with my praises, waiting to see what the next leg of our journey looks like, and waiting for my nephew, just happily, anxiously, joyfully waiting. . .
"Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful." Romans 12:12 LB

PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!

2009-11-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

I've just felt the need to worship God all day. I feel like He's answered our prayers for success already, that MOWA has gotten our letter to the court, that their father is in Addis, and that it's going to be a day of great rejoicing tomorrow. Nonetheless, I will be continuing to fast until I receive word, and praying throughout the night for God to hold back any forces that stand against our victory and bringing home our children asap.
Here's the timeline as best I can tell.

Assuming court is in session between 8am and 4pm, and it's 1:00 in the morning now, then from 11:00pm tonight until 7:00am in the morning Central Standard time, we could be before the court with our proxy.

Our agency will call as soon as they can to let us know. I will then post as quickly as possible here on the blog to let you know the results. When we pass court, my post will include all the pictures we have of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're ready to watch you move God! Show your glory in Ethiopia!!!!

So Exciting!

2009-11-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

My sweet friend in Ethiopia who is taking pics of the kids and showing them ours wrote on her blog today that she got pics and VIDEO of all the kids she was taking care packages for!! Can you believe we're going to get to see them moving?

We also got new updated photos today, and I made our slideshow montage with them included, all ready and waiting to post on Tuesday when we get word that we've passed court!

You won't believe the smiles!!!!!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving! The Roots most certainly are!!!!

Tonight they see our faces!!!

2009-11-23T10:18:00.001-08:00

Tonight while we're sleeping, our sweet YG friends the Hutcheson's will be showng B and D our photos! I hope they see the love in our eyes, and feel our desire to come get them and bring them home into our family! I can't wait for Karen to send me photos, maybe even some video, and the tracings of their feet so I can get them some cute shoes!!!!!

Exactly one week from tonight, we go to court. We've been fasting and praying, and several friends have been fasting with us, in preparation for this night. It's bathed in prayer and I have no anxiety about it what so ever. God knows the outcome, and it's all in His perfect timing. I carry no burden for it! Pray with us that God's will be done, and we believe His will is for our children to be with us QUICKLY!!!

Lord prepare their eyes and their spirits for our photos tonight. No one can communicate with them but you Lord. You speak their language, you speak into their hearts and into their minds the truth. Give them a deep and trusting understanding of who we are the moment they see our pictures. Have them fall instantly in love with us, the same way you allowed us to fall in love with them the moment we first laid eyes on them. Praise you Father! Thank you for being with them, holding them, comforting them and encouraging them while they're so far away from us.

These three can't wait to show you their new brother and sister! If we pass court we'll show them to you Tuesday Dec 1st!!!!!!!

October Update

2009-10-31T12:19:00.001-07:00

We received an email from our agency with updated photos and information on our kiddos! We finally saw a picture of them together, and you could just tell they love each other, and that they have hearts full of joy. They were both smiling, and we just can't wait to go get em!

We also learned they do not speak Amharic, so that makes me a little more anxious to go get them. It's strange to explain, but I was more at peace believing they had care givers who were talking to them, explaining their transition, coaxing their grief, etc, but now that I know they don't understand what they're saying either, it makes me want to hasten this step of their transition. But, it's all God's perfect timing, and He is in control of taking care of them and protecting them and making them feel love, so what more could I ask for them. . .

Can't wait until December 1st, when we pass court, and I can post their sweet faces for all of you to fall in love with too!

We have a COURT DATE!!!!!!

2009-10-29T08:11:00.001-07:00

So God speaks to me, and since He knows I hear Him, He's very specific, and He's very intentional with me. I could list countless stories of God asking me to do AB or C, and the moment I did how the blessings poured in. So, back in September God asked me to fast from Sugar until we received our referral. And I did, expecting it to be 9 months or more, and our referral came at 9 days. And then our referral was pulled the next morning, but I obstinately refused to go back on the fast. For days I persisted in my resistance, constantly justifying to God why it wasn't fair. . . and finally, in a prayerful fit of tears, I repented of my bad heartitude and agreed to be obedient. This time, He called me to fast from flour and sugar, not until our referral, but until we traveled, with my main prayer focus to be on our court date. Our court date? But we didn't even have a referral yet, I argued! But, I agreed and committed to Him I would fast and pray.
While I was still laying there, the phone rang, and it was our second referral call, for our siblings! I was on fire for the Lord, fasting without reservation, praying diligently for the Lord to bless our court date. Court opened, dates were being assigned, I was being obedient, things were clicking along. But then, for some reason, I don't even remember why, I justified breaking the fast. God had told me at the beginning I could break the fast for our family birthdays, for Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but it wasn't any of these, and I was just being rebellious. And I continued through this rebellion for a couple of weeks. And court date assignments STOPPED. Not a single one.
My birthday came and went, as did the kids, and I began to have a change of heart with God and my fasting disobedience. I repented, agreed to return to it, and struggled for two days to be obedient. I'm the best justifier in the world, and it gets me no where but outside of God's will for my life.
Yesterday, I woke up and had a new resolve with Him. Jason and I committed the entire family to a different particular fast until we passed court and with that, I was able to withstand temptation and fulfill my fast yesterday. I fell asleep in peace last night knowing I had chosen wisely all day.
God has never been unresponsive to me, He always rewards my efforts to press into Him more, and yet, I'm still shocked every time He does. I hoped for some movement in the Ethiopian courts today, there are 11 families ahead of us in line for court dates, and I just simply wanted to see their names pop up on the Yahoo Group and rejoice with them over their court dates, I was poised to type a gazillion exclamation points, and then it happened! An email from our agency, could it be, it was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUR COURT DATE ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who am I that God rests His favor so abundantly on my family? Who are we that He is so lavishly pouring Himself out on us??? May we turn it back as Glory to His Name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pray, Pray, Pray for our children's first earthly father to appear in court, for all documents to be in place, so that we may be one of the 50% of families who pass court on the first go round.
PRAY DECEMBER 1st!!!!!!!!!!!! That means, the night of November 30th until the morning of December 1st, because of the time difference. PRAY WITH US TO BRING THEM TO THEIR NEW HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and one more note, our first care package will be traveling to Ethiopia on 11-18-2009, and will arrive to them on Thanksgiving Day! Which means that over our Thanksgiving celebrations, our children will be seeing the faces of their new family for the first time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How cool is that??????

The Bio-Sibling Effect of Adoption

2009-10-29T06:06:00.000-07:00

I've answered this question many times to myself and others, and this mother's wisdom says it better than I ever could. I watched a TLC program about a mom with 17 children one night and her quote at the end of the program was, "If you have an opportunity to expand your love, take it." It's been posted in my kitchen ever since. This post echos that thought.

From Blessings from Ethiopia - The Weimer Family

To each and every person reading this post who knows the concrete conviction of being called to care for the older orphans yet also bears the weight of the accompanying thoughts of fear, I want you to know this...Please hear me loud and clear, as we have now SIX times over displaced our "original" kids' birth order:

You are NOT taking anything AWAY from your birth children. Instead, what you are doing is imparting to them something eternal: You are expanding their capacity to love. Think about that for a minute before you read anything else. How do you plan to teach your child to love others unconditionally and in total compassion without giving them the opportunity to do so? I'm telling you now, You CAN'T.

My biological children have a greater capacity of love in their hearts than I could ever impart to them by just giving them a safe Christianity, by maintaining their status quo, by simply modeling "godliness" as parents (as if that's the end-all be-all for a Christian family). My kids...all of them...have lived out self-sacrifice and understand (because they live it!) that laying down one's life does not steal anything from us. That is the lie of the devil, who would have us believe that sacrifice is not worth it; that there is nothing for us in return; that God doesn't really mean what He says when He said to His followers that "anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [Because] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:38-39).

Do you really believe that? That whoever LOSES his life for Jesus' sake, for Jesus the Orphan's sake, will actually FIND it? Ask yourself honestly. Because you might answer YES prematurely. I have no doubt that you might believe it for yourself, but do you really believe it for your children, too? That if they "lose" their "place" in the family that Jesus will instead impart to them LIFE? REAL life???

What is birth order anyway but just a sequence of how your child came to you? Let's not make an idol of that sequence. Because that's what it becomes...an IDOL. Something standing in the way of you taking up the Cross to follow Him, to BE JESUS in this world. Let's not place a value on birth order that God did not intend to be there.

Consider the older orphan. Consider the sibling groups. Consider the ones who are not often considered.

And whatever you do on your adoption journey, PLEASE I beg you, do NOT steal from your children the opportunity for their love capacity to be expanded. Do not deny them the true gift of learning early in life that "My life is not my own."

When your feisty and spunky 7-year-old biological daughter, who is now the middle child of 9 after being knocked down to #5 from #2, pleads "Please, Mommy, Please!!! I want another sister my age!!! Can we PLEASE adopt again?!!," your heart will beat out of your chest, not just because you can envision another child saved, but because you know that your daughter will NEVER EVER live a limited, safe Christianity. She won't even know what that means. In fact, she won't even have the capacity do so.

And all because you didn't limit her, either. You didn't limit God.

Give your children the gift of the greater capacity to love. Let it ripple out into the future. Let it change the world.

Court Dates and Speculating

2009-10-23T16:59:00.001-07:00

So, I usually hate to speculate, because God is so full of surprises that I'm usually proven wrong, but I can't help but try and figure out some things with our adoption timeline. . . So, we'll start with the for sure news . . . the family who is scheduled to take our first care package to B&D passed court today, yeah!, so our care package will be on its way soon! We can't wait to know they've seen our faces too!
Another family unfortunately did not pass and announced they were rescheduled for court on November 24th. Although, court dates are not necessarily scheduled in order of referral, they generally are, and we are number 12 on the list of yahoo group families waiting for a first court date. I don't anticiapte getting a court date until mid December at this point, if that early, so we are going to take a deep breath and conclude that we will not travel before Christmas. We're a little surprised that there are no families in our group scheduled for court between the 12th and 24th, and only 4 families for the entire month of November at all. We're hoping this is not a trend that continues, we're anxious to get them home and shorten the amount of in-transition time between their two families.
And, that's all we know, or guess, for now. We have 12 screaming 8 year olds in the other room here for Nathan's birthday. Guess I better down this Excedrin Migraine pill and go back into the trenches and relieve Jason for a bit.

OUCH - 14 Times and counting!!!!

2009-10-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Today was the day Brooklyn has been dreading for months since we agreed she should travel with us to Ethiopia - vaccines at the International Travel Clinic!
She fared quite nicely I'd say, thanks to her age and her Immunization Records, she only received two shots today, the Flu Vaccine, and her Typhoid Fever vax! Jason had 5 shots, and I had to have 6! Ouwie!
So, you're counting 2+5+6 and thinking I can't add because that's only 13, not 14. . . .
The real ouch was when she tallied our bill to $725.00!!!!!!!

Since we were already at $725, we decided to save spending an additional $180 and get Brooklyn's Meningitis and Hep A vaccines at her pediatrician , and we all have to go back for the Yellow Fever vaccine next month which will be another $450 dollars. PLUS! We are researching whether or not the boys need to have the Typhoid vaccine. Jason and I also have to go back for 2 more Hep B shots next month with the Yellow Fever, the boys have to have their Hep A and Flu shots, and then we all have to have the Hep A and B boosters again in 6 months. Geeze!!!

All worth it though! I feel like I've done a hundred push ups. . . think I'll go take some Advil.

Our Nephew Rhett!

2009-10-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

My brother and sis-in-law are adopting their second baby through AWAA China, and today she awoke to new pictures of her son! They are waiting on their TA, basically an appointment with the consulate in China and their travel authorizations, etc, so they can go pick him up! We're both hoping to travel by the end of the year, but God is in control of the time table and we're both good with His perfect plan.

Enjoy his adorableness!

More Bureacratic Hoops on the Horizon

2009-10-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

Ethiopia, a country roughly twice the size of Texas, has approximately 5 million orphans. Earlier this year, all court cases for children who were registered as abandoned, rather than relinquished, were halted in their process while Ethiopia conducted an internal investigation into whether or not children were being obtained by orphanages illegally for the purpose of selling adoptions. Our agency and orphanages were not included in this investigation, but it nonetheless held up many of our families waiting to travel and gather their children home. The investigation was completed, new process were installed by the Ethiopian Government, and all those cases have been resolved and the children are home with their forever families.
Now, in response, some 6 months later, our government has extended the issuing of visas for adopted Ethiopian children from one week to possibly several months while they conduct their own investigation into each child's legitimacy for adoption. A process that is already conducted in court by the Ethiopian justice system. In order to pass court, our children's father must appear in court to testify why he can not raise his children himself, and prove their orphan status, and then we are legally declared their parents. Now, the US Government is saying it wants to investigate that again.
Satan is just trying to screw with adoption. He is trying to make it as difficult, long, and bureaucratic as possible to discourage new families from pursuing adoption, and to leave these 5 million children in bondage.
We do not know how long this could delay our "expected timeline" but the truth is, it doesn't change the day our children will be in our arms for the first time by one second. God has been in control, knew this was coming, and prepared everything perfectly in full understanding of this coming. We are at peace with His ability to fight this war and to win the battle for these children.
Pray with us that this does not become a hindrance in the adoption process for any family or any child who needs a home, and that this situation would be quickly resolved and absolved.

Shots - Shots - Sing a Song of Shots

2009-10-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

So I took Brooklyn to the Dr. today just to confirm that she did in fact have the swine flu, and since she's over the worst of it, she was simply thrilled to get a three week pass from P.E. out of going to the Dr, until our impending travel came up in conversation. Although I've been consciously aware, and discussed the need for international travel vaccines often, I've never put it into a time frame in my head. Today I realized I'm already behind! So add that to our list of to-do's. Pray for us Friday! We'll be going to get our shots and Brooklyn said she'd rather have the swine flu again, although she quickly added a "not really God," to the end of that exclamation!

Court is Now in Session! All Rise!

2009-10-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

We received word today from our agency that the courts in Ethiopia did open for cases finally and all the families who were scheduled for last week posted their new court dates on the board today!!! Our agency is hoping to have court dates scheduled for all of us within the next 2-3 weeks!! So exciting!!!!!
In the meantime, we've done some shopping for our care package and have set the things out in the kitchen for the kids to play with, the cat to rub on, the dog to sniff etc. They should have our love (and crazy smell) all over them by the time it's time to send them to Ethiopia!

We've seen their faces, what's next?

2009-10-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

We've set their beautiful faces as the backdrops on our phones, they've been added to the refrigerator, and we smile every time we look at their precious eyes, and noses, and sweet cheeks. . . They've been grafted into our hearts, and we're beginning to long to go to them, hug them, assure them God has redeemed their future, and bring them home. But what happens next many of you are asking us. . .

The next thing is that we go to court. Here's what our agency said to us regarding court. . .

The court confirmed today that they will not be reopening until Oct. 12th. Once they begin work it will likely take a week or more for them to issue new court dates.
I know this time of waiting can be so hard as you long to be united with your children. I am sorry that we will have to wait more time for any new news. I am hopeful that new court dates will be given for early November but we will not receive any confirmation from the court until they begin work again. At this time, the court is putting all new cases onto a waiting list and will provide us with your family’s confirmed court date sometime in early October. We will contact your family with the date as soon as we receive it from the court. Roughly 60% of families will pass court on the first issued date, while 40% of the cases will require a second court date for successful completion of court. Second court dates can be issued 2 to 8 weeks after an initial court date. Once a family has successfully passed court they can anticipate traveling 2.5 - 4weeks later.

Families who received referrals on the same day (or within the same week or few weeks) as other families will not necessarily have a court date within the same week or few weeks. Each adoption is unique and court dates do not always fall within chronological order of receiving a referral. The paperwork needed to secure a court date, and the time frame to acquire the paperwork, is unique for each adoption. These factors, along with the court’s appointment availability, will affect the timing for your specific court date.

Often times after families pass court; America World cannot immediately begin to plan travel. Documentation from the Ethiopia court systems must be completed and received in order to move forward with booking flights and further travel plans. Therefore, please be prepared to possibly book flights a week before traveling.

So there you have it, we're waiting on court dates to be issued, praying that once that date arrives, their father will appear in court, and all the necessary paperwork will be in line for them to pass us on the first go round, and then we'll proceed with figuring out when we can travel!

What are we doing in the meantime?

1. Getting our care packages together. We're required to send at least one, but of course we'll send as many as we can! We're creating a family album to send so they can begin to see our faces, recognize our home, our pets, their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We'll also be sending along a toy for each of them, an outfit and one of those nifty cards that you can record on . . we want our voices to begin imprinting on their hearts.

Care packages are sent through other families who are traveling to pick up their children. Our sweet friend Karen has agreed to make room in her luggage for ours, and we are praying earnestly for her to pass court on the first try so that she can take our package and pick up her son at the end of October! She'll also take pictures or videos of B and D for us, so we'll hopefully get to see them in action!!!!!! These are crucial to beginning the bonding process, and for easing the difficult transition these babies will go through. They'll see us one day in the Transition Home, have one more night there in the familiar, and then leave with us the next day for ever. It's looking at our pictures and enjoying the things we send that will make us a little less "scary and strange."

2. We're trying to decide on a name for little boy D. His given name is a little difficult for me to wrap my tongue and mind around, so we're contemplating different ways of Americanizing it. I stopped by and spoke with an Ethiopian family who owns a restaurant in Dallas and they gave me some great advice, but we're still undecided. . . He'll officially keep his given name, but we'll call and have him go by a slightly different version of it. . . Little girl B is an easy one, and she'll also keep her given name, but it's got a natural American "nickname" that we all fell in love with instantly.

3. Complete Online Training. Because we're adopting older children, and their memories of their first family are in tact, and they've already developed many coping skills, mannerisms, established their personal norms, etc, we have to prepare ourselves for the challenges that this will bring along with it when we blend them in to our family with our expectations, boundaries, etc. I'm sure another 2 hours of online training is not what Jason's looking forward to after the 8 hours of Hague we already completed, but alas, it will help save more hours than it costs us hopefully!

4. Figure out where we're going to put them! If you've seen our house, you know this is going to be a feat! We're tightly packed in as it is, and it's going to get tighter! We've got to buy new beds, bigger dressers, and clear out some closet space! My clothes horse pre-teen is not looking forward to this particular situation!

Well, I'm suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed. I think I'll go eat some string cheese now.

It's A Double Blessing!

2009-09-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

Oh my Goodness!!!!! What a week!! We've gone from waiting, to soaring, to mourning, to flying! We are still standing in AWE at how God moves. We have been very submissive from the beginning to God, giving Him total control over our referral. Jason believed almost from the beginning that the Holy Spirit had told him we would have a 4 and a 2 year old, and he's also been telling everyone we would know them and maybe even have them home by Christmas. Of course, I'm the one actively involved, with the paperwork, with the adoption groups online, so I would often remind him, since I "knew better" that his "predictions" were highly unlikey but nonetheless he would keep saying it to everyone who asked. And alas, it appears he heard God very clearly when the Holy Spirit told him about our children, and if court goes well, his predictions on when they could be home might come in right on target as well.

We never would have imagined when our referral was pulled last Thursday that this was God's plan, although we knew with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY that He had one.

We received a call this morning giving us some more information on why our referral had been pulled back. They needed time to investigate their suspisions that "B" had a sibling! As it turned out, "B's" 2 year old brother had been referred out separately. They had recalled his referral as well, and were calling to offer us both of their referrals!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a beautiful 4 year old daughter and a handsome 2 year old son! We swear he has our middle bio sons lips!!! :)

It's absolutely unbelievable. I have so much I want to say, so many things that God has confirmed and done in the last few short days, but I'm not removed enough to think clearly! I'll come back to this so that I can give them every detail of "Their Story" but for now, we're just basking in the amazing providence of God.

One Day Later

2009-09-25T12:27:00.001-07:00

I'm still processing, still getting my head around what my heart went through in that 24 hours. My sister-in-law Amy put it best for me in a text, I couldn't talk to anyone, so she wrote,

"When you said yes in your heart you said yes to being her mommy, God asked you to step out in faith. You did. All He asked you to do was step. . . the answer [to all this] will be glorious. I don't understand why this happened. But it's ok to be sad and grieve."

I needed permission to grieve for some reason. How do you understand for yourself, how do you even begin to explain the depth of love you have instantaneously for a child you've just laid eyes on? It wasn't because she was beautiful, or because she was motherless and under nourished. It wasn't because I needed to love another child. It was because I had been asked to be her mommy, she had been offered to me as my daughter. Everything I do I do with passion. I can meet a million adorable babies and toddlers on the street and think they're great but no one has ever said, "Here is this child. Will you love her as your own? Will you be her mother, will you fold her into your heart?" When I said yes I meant it.

Now obviously, true relationship, true intimacy comes from investing yourself. Just as those first few months after my three bio kids were born, it was a time of bonding, and a depth of love developing that is beautiful and built on experiences together, trust from needs being offered and met. I know that I will go through that same period with this adopted child when they come home, I know that the love from intimacy will take time to develop and grow, but I now know that the deep sold out spiritual love, the desire to pray for a child's every breath and especially their salvation, the love that dares to dream about the different ways they will fit in your family, and what things will look like because you now have a face,an age, a sex, to fit into that picture you've been dreaming about for months, that love is instant. I've suffered a miscarriage of my heart, and it's painful.

Yesterday was tough because I was allowing Satan to whisper in my ear. Saying things like, "You've only seen this child for 18 hours, what difference does it make. You don't have a right to be upset. You don't have anything to be sad about. Just forget about it, act like these past 18 hours didn't happen. OH, you have this strong faith huh, you know God has the perfect child for you, and you just deceived yourself into believing this was her, you don't hear Him at all like you think you do, huh? You've been so wrong, you are making up that voice you thought was His. If you think He'll work all this out, then you don't have a right to be upset or sad, you would have already gotten over this if your faith were what you're claiming it to be."

But the truth is, my faith in God never wavered. I never faltered in knowing with full confidence that God is in total control. I don't doubt one moment that this situation is part of our story, that it is necessary, that we were chosen to receive her picture, even if that's all it is, for a higher purpose than our eyes can see. I believe God knows what He's doing and He's redeeming every circumstance for His glory.

So, when my faith in my God did not waiver, the enemy used it as a time to attack my marriage. Jason and I have been through some tough crap, but it was serious for 5 hours last night. In all honesty, it had about 1% to do with our referral being pulled back, and about 99% to do with our misplaced needs and choices, but satan used this circumstance to make me doubt so much of what I believed about my marriage. It was 30 seconds of a hugely stupid insensitivity on Jason's part, and 8 hours of satan manipulating and twisting. I keep going back and adding adjectives to his insensitivity. Guess I'm not done forgiving. .. . but I digress :)

Adoption is so near to God's heart, that I believe it puts a big ole target on our backs for the enemy. After surviving this latest battle, I'm grateful for the opportunity to shore up the cracks a little more. Jason learned some lessons, I learned a lot of lessons, our marriage will be stronger, more impenetrable going forward, and we're more resolved to complete this adoption together as a unified team. Satan's goal was to create doubt in our ability to trust the other in this adoption and to have us give it up, and for a while last night he probably thought he was winning, but like always in our relationship, the Warrior, the Victorious Conqueror was called in to the ring, and the three of us are indefeatable.

The Lord provided me with so much support. My dear friends who understood I couldn't talk, and simply kept emailing and texting me throughout the day, it got me through. Praise God for our adoption yahoo group, other parents who are going through the same thing, many who have received their referral and understand how much they love that child, and how much it must hurt to have them removed. And a small few who have been through what happened to us yesterday. God uses the testimony of survivors to gird us up. Others who say, it's ok to be confused, pissed, sad, to grieve.

For my non-adopting readers, yes, this is extremely rare. There is no reason to withhold complete love and devotion from the instant you see a referral picture. There is no reason to think, "I better guard my heart, this could fall apart." No one sees their referral picture for the first time and thinks, "I'm not going to call this child my daughter until we're on the plane coming home and it's really happening." Any other adoptive mother who had seen her child, and then 18 hours later gotten the call that they weren't, would be as devastated as I am.

Will we receive another referral? Yes. Will we believe and realize at that time that no other child could be as perfect for us and will all the events come into clear focus and be amazing, yes. Does that negate the fact that "B" was an equal fulfillment of all of God's promises, prophecies and dreams for us? No.

God doesn't ask us to hold back, He asks us to step . . .

Referral Pulled

2009-09-24T08:10:00.001-07:00

AWAA called this morning and said information has come up in Ethiopia and they need to pull our referral.

No one ever said International Adoption was without ups and downs.

They said they can't give any details and don't really know what will happen going forward but they might know more in a week or two.

We're just praying to see God's hand, to understand His peace even if we can't understand why.

It's A GIRL!

2009-09-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

We received the coveted phone call today, about 9 months earlier than we were expecting! I will post later about how perfect God is, how He speaks so clearly and yet we filter His words through so much of our own "stuff" that we sometimes misunderstand them, and how merciful He is that He fulfills His plans into PERFECTION in our lives!

But for now, I can tell you, she is absolutely beautiful. Be praying now that we pass court and I will be able to show you her amazing face! Her eyes will melt your heart!
Begin to let our Beautiful "B" fill your hearts, pray for her as she waits for her new family and grieves the loss of her first family, pray for her health in the Transition Home, and for a successful court date!
Praise you Lord! You are amazing, your timing is perfect, your ways are masterful! Glory to your name!

Dossier Arrives in Ethiopia!

2009-09-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

DTE at DISNEY

2009-09-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our official DTE while in Disney, and this is Disney's year of a million celebrations, so we added ours to the mix and wrote WE'RE DTE on our buttons. Jason was at first peeved that I had not written WE'RE ADOPTING or something that people could understand just by reading it, but writing something strange and unknown actually opened a door we were not expecting. Instead of reading our button and moving on with their lives, SO MANY people couldn't help but ask, "What's DTE?" and it was the perfect opportunity to share our story, our faith, and our journey! We talked to several people about Ethiopia, about adoption in general, and shared our faith. We heard so many say, "I've thought about that, but doesn't it cost a lot?" Which gave me the chance to share what God has done in our lives to provide, and how He will do the same for them. I was able to live and share our testimony to so many who would have never stopped and bothered discussing it with us otherwise. My life's call lately has been "We shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony." and by focusing on this, being willing to share what God has done in my life whenever it's relevant, I've been amazed at the opportunities God's put in my lap to do just that. Adoption is a journey, and it needs more people on the journey! Whatever we can do to share our faith, and our story, I'm ready and willing!

DTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

We got our email from Nicole, our family Coordinator at AWAA confirming our DTE date of 9/4/2009!

"Root Family, you've finally become DTE!

What are you going to do next?"

"We're going to DISNEY WORLD!"

What makes it so incredible is that many many moons ago I asked God to make a way for us to take the kids on one last "Family of Five" vacation, and He did. Then as things drug out, a few months back I prayed that He would please let all the pieces come together so that we could be finished with our paper pregnancy before we left on our trip, and HE DID IT! Our cruise and our DTE date are the same!!!!! YOU ROCK GOD!!!! Your timing is PERFECT, I'm sorry when I momentarily lose sight of that sometimes!!!!!

Psalm 68:31 ". . .Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God." We're praying for you little package, you're our love, desires, hopes, and obedience wrapped up in a little box. Be safe, travel quickly.

First Day of School

2009-08-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school in our district. Per our usual tradition, I lined the kids up in front of the garage to take their picture before we piled into the car. I yelled out, "Kids! Get together and put your arms around your brothers and sister, like you like each other."

I started snapping away and I hear Jason giggling behind me. I realized I was zoomed in and not getting Nathan's arm. A bit frustrated I said, "Come on Nathan, put your arm down," thinking he was being difficult, until Jason said, "Gina, he's putting his arm around our other kids." Nathan just looked over at his arm as if there was another kid standing there and started giggling.

He's such an adorable character. Wherever and whoever our "unknown" children are in the world today, know this, your family - already - sight unseen - dearly loves, includes, and giggles over you.

From Our Agency. . .

2009-08-17T19:13:00.001-07:00

Decorating the Ethiopia Transitional Home
A small volunteer group will be traveling this Friday to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the mission of decorating our Ethiopia Transitional Home. Our desire is for our Transitional Home to feel more like a home and be as welcoming as it can be to the children and babies who will live there temporarily.
We are working on creating new baby beds and bunk beds and on adding more lighting. We are also having the floors redone and painting murals in the school room, boys room, girls room and baby room. We also hope to paint murals in the court yard.
We would like to raise funds to help with this project through our Orphan's Ticket Home campaign. We cannot purchase the supplies without your help. Any amount will benefit this endeavor. You can donate here. Just be sure to put in the Notes section: Ethiopia Transitional Home Decorating.
We will be sure to share the photos with you of the updates!
Thank you!
AWAA

Just as a note: You receive a tax donation form if you wish to make the place our children will live for almost a year of their life more comfortable!

We're in the System!

2009-08-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

We can no longer commit any major crimes and hope to escape unnoticed. Our prints are officially in the FBI system! The lady taking mine commented, "Oh! Wonderful, your prints are so nice and plump! Most stay at home mom's we scan have no fingerprints at all. It's as if they've scrubbed them off with a brilo pad." To which I have to say thank you Rita for exposing two of my most negative secrets, 1. Everything about me is nice and plump sister, and 2. No, I do not do housework or scrub anything with a brilo pad thereby creating any opportunity for removing my fingerprints. They are and will forever be present and accounted for.
Let the countdown to our I-171H arriving begin. And please allow me to apologize to the mailman in advance, excuse me, mail lady, I will be stalking you. Whenever your loud little red truck with the magnetic US Post RURAL sign slapped crooked on the door is heard coming down the street, engine and brakes alternating in a hum and a screech as you stop at each mailbox, I will run out like a mad woman, and I may even forget to make sure I'm properly dressed. This is your two week notice.